Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infection can lead to serious reproductive health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Gonorrhea also can cause infections in newborn babies. Tests and effective treatments are available.
Resource for Providers
DGI is an uncommon, but severe, complication of untreated gonorrhea.
DGI occurs when the sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae invades the bloodstream and spreads to distant sites in the body, leading to clinical manifestations such as septic arthritis, polyarthralgia, tenosynovitis, petechial/pustular skin lesions, bacteremia, or, on rare occasions, endocarditis or meningitis.
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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Untreated infection can lead to long-term health problems, including brain disease. Syphilis increases both transmission and acquisition of HIV. Tests and treatment are available.
Resource for Providers
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CDPH Dear Colleague Letter - Opt-Out ED Screening for HIV, HCV, and Syphilis (3/28/22) (PDF)
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Screening for Syphilis in Emergency Departments Resource Guide (PDF)
Congenital syphilis (CS)
Is an infection transmitted from pregnant person to child during pregnancy and/or delivery caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. CS can cause severe illness in infants including premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, blindness, and hearing loss. It can also lead to stillbirth and infant death. Tests and treatment for pregnant people are readily available.
Over the last several years, California has experienced a steep increase in syphilis among females and CS. From 2012 to 2019, female syphilis cases increased over 750% and CS cases increased over 1,200%, from 33 cases in 2012 to 446 cases in 2019. This is the highest number of reported CS cases since 1993. In 2019, most CS cases were reported from Central and Southern California; however an increasing number of counties throughout California are reporting CS cases. Most pregnant females who gave birth to infants with CS received prenatal care late in pregnancy or not at all.