What is Congenital Syphilis?
Congenital Syphilis is a severe infection that happens when a pregnant person with Syphilis passes the bacteria to their baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
The good news is that syphilis can be effectively treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin, and early treatment can cure the infection.
What happens if your baby gets Congenital Syphilis?
If Syphilis is passed on to your baby, serious problems such as a baby born too early or too small, miscarriage, or health problems at birth can occur.
Signs and Symptoms of Congenital Syphilis
Mother
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning or itching
- Sores, bumps or rashes
- Genital wart-like bumps
Baby
- Severe runny nose
- Skin rashes
- Peeling skin on hands or feet
- Wart-like lesions
- Baby will not move arm or leg
What can you do to prevent Congenital Syphilis?
- Get routine screening for Sexually Transmitted Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs) within the first three months of pregnancy.
- Repeat testing if any new risk factors arise during pregnancy.
- Start treatment right away if you test positive for Syphilis.
- Use safer sex practices such as the use of condoms and other protective barriers.
Where can you get tested?
- Teen Health Centre (for ages under 25)
- Core Medical Centre Urgent Care Clinic
- weCHC
- TMC Clinic
- Tecumseh Walk-In Clinic
- Windsor Medical Clinics
- Erie St. Clair Clinic
- University of Windsor Student Health Services (for current students only)
- St. Clair College Health Centre Services (for current students only)