Syphilis

A patient on HAC wards came in with subjective complaints of cognitive decline. Records from the patient’s PCP showed she had a positive FTA-Abs which was untreated. After a comprehensive physical exam and LP, it was determined that this patient had latent syphilis.

Points discussed:

• Epidemiology of syphilis – South End in Boston has a much higher rate than the rest of the city!
• Stages of syphilis (primary, secondary, latent, tertiary)
• Treatment of syphilis

Here is a link to the CDC Website for the most recent guidelines for syphilis treatment:

http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/genital-ulcers.htm#syphilis