Syphilis and congenital syphilis are on the rise in the United States.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is spread through anal, oral, and vaginal sex. It can cause heart and brain damage, blindness, deafness, and paralysis when left untreated.

But the good news is syphilis is both preventable and treatable. To prevent a syphilis infection, use a condom correctly the entire time you are having sexual activity. If you become infected with syphilis, make sure that you tell your sexual partners. To treat syphilis, your provider will often prescribe antibiotics. The symptoms of syphilis can be hard to notice, or symptoms may not show at all. Syphilis symptoms include:

• A painless sore on the genitals, anus or elsewhere
• Lesions in wet and moist areas, specifically around the site of the sore
• A non-itchy rash, likely on the palms of the hands or on the soles of the feet

Congenital syphilis means syphilis is transferred from a pregnant person to their baby. This transfer happens during pregnancy or during birth. Congenital syphilis is dangerous for babies. The best way to prevent congenital syphilis is to use a condom before and during pregnancy. Additionally, the CDC recommends that pregnant people be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal appointment, during the third trimester, and at birth. This allows for immediate treatment if the mother or baby tests positive for syphilis.