Following today’s release by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the rise in cases of newborn syphilis, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken is urging pregnant women in Suffolk County to seek early and regular prenatal care.
“Each year for the past five years, Suffolk County’s Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Diseases has reported on average 29 women who were at risk of giving birth to a baby with congenital -- or newborn -- syphilis,” said Dr. Tomarken. “Fortunately, the number of cases of newborn syphilis in Suffolk County has remained at zero for the past four years, though one baby was born with syphilis in 2013. We attribute our low numbers to the strong partnership between our Suffolk County’s hard-working STD staff and our outstanding local healthcare practitioners.”
According to CDC, prenatal care is crucial for every pregnancy. Without early and regular prenatal care, a pregnant woman may not know that her baby is at risk for congenital syphilis. All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, at the beginning of the third trimester (approximately 28 weeks’ gestation) and again at delivery. Syphilis during pregnancy is easily cured with the right antibiotics.
Despite the Suffolk County’s success in limiting congenital syphilis cases, the Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease has reported an increase in the number of STDs overall, with a sharp rise in the number of cases of chlamydia, which rose from 3414 cases in 2013 to 5604 cases in 2017.
Pregnant women who have chlamydia can pass the infection to their babies during delivery. Chlamydia can cause premature birth and serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system making it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on.
If you are sexually active getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations:
- All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
- Annual chlamydia screening of all sexually active women younger than 25 years, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection
- Annual gonorrhea screening for all sexually active women younger than 25 years, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
- Syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B screening for all pregnant women, and chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for at-risk pregnant women starting early in pregnancy, with repeat testing as needed, to protect the health of mothers and their infants. doctor and patient
- Screening at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea for all sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM who have multiple or anonymous partners should be screened more frequently for STDs (e.g., at 3-to-6 month intervals).
- Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- Anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
To reduce risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, CDC recommends:
- Avoid infection by not having sex (anal, vaginal or oral);
- Practice monogamy with an uninfected partner;
- Reduce your number of sex partners;
- Use condoms every time you have anal, vaginal or oral sex;
- Get all three doses of HPV vaccine;
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis B if you were not vaccinated when you were younger.
For more information about confidential screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, contact Suffolk County Health Department’s STD Unit at 631-854-0364.
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