Neobook — clinical reference

Click on the image to enlarge.

Trace and test partners of women with confirmed syphilis
Test the partner using a rapid syphilis test if available and assess for symptoms and signs of a genital ulcer or secondary syphilis.
If the rapid test is positive, and symptoms or signs of syphilis are present, treat the partner for early syphilis using one of the following options:
- A single immediate dose of benzathine penicillin 2.4 MU IM, if stock levels are sufficient
- If penicillin stock levels are insufficient, give Doxycycline 100mg 12-hourly orally for 14 days
If the rapid test is positive and there are NO symptoms or signs of syphilis, send a confirmatory blood sample to the laboratory for an RPR. Do not wait for the results before treating the partner, but be sure to check the results 1 week later. Treat the partner for latent syphilis using one of the following options:
- Benzathine penicillin 2.4 MU IM, once weekly for 3 weeks, if stock levels are sufficient
- If penicillin stock levels are insufficient, give Doxycycline 100mg 12-hourly orally for 30 days

CS is a Category 2 Notifiable Medical Condition (NMC): Health care workers must notify all cases of congenital syphilis through paper-based or electronic case notification forms (CNF) to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD) within 7 days of diagnosis.
Refer to link: https://www.nicd.ac.za/nmcoverview/notification-forms/
Still births due to syphilis should also be notified.

South African National Department of Health, Guideline for Vertical Transmission Prevention of Communicable Infections, Version 2_August 2023

Syphilis & HIV Testing and Management During Pregnancy