Rewriting the Standard: Why the Reaffirmation of Universal Syphilis Screening in Pregnancy Matters Now More Than Ever

In recent years, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have once again been placed at the heart of the national health agenda. Among them, syphilis stands out for its sustained growth and for the serious consequences it can have if it is not detected and treated in time. This disease, which can begin with a painless lesion in the genital or oral area, can advance to more complex phases, affecting the nervous system and the heart. In addition, i…

Rewriting the Standard: Why the Reaffirmation of Universal Syphilis Screening in Pregnancy Matters Now More Than Ever

In an era of high-tech diagnostics and billion-dollar biotech, the return of syphilis—an infection many assumed long subdued—feels both archaic and alarming. On May 13, 2025, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released its updated recommendation reaffirming the need for universal syphilis screening in all pregnant individuals during their first prenatal visit. While the rating—Grade A—was consistent with previous guidance, the reaf…

There is concern in public health about the sustained increase in cases of syphilis in Argentina, as more and more adolescents and newborn babies are detected with this sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis, at its initial stage, can manifest itself with painless injury in the genital or oral area, but, if it is not detected in time, progresses to more complex phases, being able to affect the nervous system and the heart. Moreover, it is tran…

Ανησυχητική άνοδος των περιστατικών φυματίωσης και σύφιλης στο Μόντρεαλ

Η Δημόσια Υγεία του Μόντρεαλ (Direction régionale de santé publique – DRSP) έκρουσε τον κώδωνα του κινδύνου για την ανησυχητική αύξηση των κρουσμάτων φυματίωσης και σύφιλης στην περιοχή κατά το 2024.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that, in its initial stage, can manifest itself with painless injury to the genital or oral area, but, if it is not detected in time, it advances to more complex phases, which can affect the nervous system and the heart. In addition, it is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, generating congenital syphilis with serious risks to the health of the newborn. Since 2020, a sustained rise in c…