Decade-long syphilis epidemic in Aotearoa: Who’s at most risk?

Website intended for a NZ health professional readership

+Practice

In print

SEXUAL HEALTH

Decade-long syphilis epidemic in Aotearoa: Who’s at most risk?

20 July 2022

By Massimo Giola

Wednesday 20 July 2022, 12:45 AM

The true risk of syphilis infection in a pregnant woman may be unknown if their partner withholds important information [Image: Ömürden Cengiz on Unsplash]

Sexual health specialist Massimo Giola recalls a case of congenital syphilis, using it to highlight the importance of syphilis retesting in later pregnancy

Key points, Although syphilis cases are possibly decreasing among men who have sex with men, there is ongoing transmission involving women of childbearing age, an, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Infectious Disease

References

1. NZSHS. Syphilis in Pregnancy: Antenatal Management Guidelines for maternal and congenital syphilis. September 2020. tinyurl.com/NZSHS-SyphilisPreg

2. NZSHS position statement on re-testing pregnant women for syphilis infection or reinfection. December 2020. tinyurl.com/NZSHS-Retesting

How to Treat

+How to treat

Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality

Wednesday 29 January 2025, 12:45 AM