The number of babies born with syphilis has been increasing across the country and in Texas. In response, Texas DSHS brought together a group of experts to focus on three main areas:

• Data and Surveillance
• Prevention and Treatment
• Infant Care Recommendations

Data and Surveillance helps us find out where help is needed most and where CS is declining. We are making it easier and faster to report and share information, and we are updating our data dashboard.

Prevention and Treatment is about helping doctors and nurses learn more about congenital syphilis. All health care providers who care for pregnant women or women who can become pregnant need to know how to test and treat for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as a regular part of care.

Infant Care Recommendations should be a key part of caring for babies born to women with syphilis. Providers need training on how to read test results and treat babies with difficult cases.

The expert panel shared helpful resources and tips for each area. They gave ideas for running a hotline to help doctors and nurses treat syphilis. Experts will be available to answer callers’ questions through the hotline. Hotline nurses can connect providers with experts for tough cases. They can also look up patient records if someone doesn’t remember if they had syphilis. Nurses on the hotline can help providers get medicine or tell them where to find it in their region. Regional nurses will help by testing and treating patients, giving out medicine, and teaching providers and staff. Regional nurses will work with Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) to reach people who need care. Together, nurses and DIS will build strong relationships with doctors, local providers, and community groups. They will help manage cases for women and babies, especially when treatment is complicated.