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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents: Screening

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Last Reviewed: September 2022

Workgroups: Sexually Transmitted Infections Workgroup, Adolescent Health Workgroup, Access to Health Services Workgroup

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adults and adolescents who aren’t pregnant for syphilis infection if they’re at an increased risk for getting syphilis. This recommendation applies to adults and adolescents who have ever been sexually active — even if they don’t have symptoms. USPSTF found that treating syphilis with antibiotics can cure syphilis infections before they progress and cause lasting damage. Treatment also prevents people who have syphilis from passing it to other people.

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Objectives related to this resource (3)

Reduce the syphilis rate in females — STI‑03
Getting worse
Reduce the syphilis rate in men who have sex with men — STI‑05
Little or no detectable change
Increase the proportion of adults who get recommended evidence-based preventive health care — AHS‑08
Getting worse

Suggested Citation

1.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2022). Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents: Screening. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/syphilis-infection-nonpregnant-adults-adolescents-screening