The Health Department and the NC Division of Public Health are asking all medical providers to take a more proactive approach to diagnosing and treating syphilis.  Please consider the following management and reporting laws:

• When evaluating a patient with a suspected case of syphilis or other STD, complete a full history and physical to evaluate for signs and symptoms, including oral and anal exams.
• Report all early cases of syphilis within 24 hours to the Health Department at 704-432-1742.  The information required can be found on the Reporting Form.
• Proactively treat cases and/or partners and other high-risk individuals if symptoms are present.  Do not wait for confirmatory test results.
• Treat with 2.4 million units of penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A) if the patient is not allergic to penicillin.
• Pregnant women who are allergic to Bicillin L-A should be desensitized and treated with penicillin.
• If you do not have Bicillin L-A readily available in your practice, you can refer the patient to the Mecklenburg County Health Department or contact 704-336-6438 for arrangements to have Bicillin delivered to your office.
• If you test for HIV, test for syphilis.
• If you test for any STD, test for syphilis.
• Open letter from the DIS (Disease Intervention Specialists)