Chapter 18: Sexually transmitted infections
Syphilis and pregnancy
If a woman has syphilis when she is
pregnant, her baby can be born too
early, deformed, or dead. If
possible, every pregnant
woman should get a
blood test to check for
syphilis — especially if
she has ever had sores
on her genitals.
You’ll need a
blood test to
be sure you
do not have
syphilis.
To treat syphilis
• inject 2.4 million Units benzathine benzylpenicillin.....in the muscle,
1 time only
or
if the person is allergic to penicillin:
• give 500 mg erythromycin ����������������������������������������������������������������by mouth, 4 times a day for
14 days
(Erythromycin is not always effective against syphilis. You may need to treat
the woman with tetracycline after she finishes breastfeeding.)
If the person has had syphilis for 2 years or more, get medical help. She needs
different medicines.
WARNING! It is very hard to tell the difference between
syphilis and chancroid (see page 331). If you are not sure
whether the woman has syphilis or chancroid, or if she
might have both, you should give her benzathine penicillin
and erythromycin.
330
A Book for Midwives (2010)