Together, We Fulfill
the Promise
The Houston Health Department (HHD) has launched a campaign to combat a sharp rise in congenital syphilis in the Houston area. That’s why HHD is reaching out to local health care physicians with an urgent awareness campaign called, “My Prenatal Commitment: Together, We Fulfill the Promise.” HHD is urging physicians to make sure they accurately and thoroughly test and treat all prenatal care patients to prevent new cases of congenital syphilis. The My Prenatal Commitment campaign is an extension of HHD’s My Prenatal Promise campaign launched in 2020 to inform pregnant mothers about the need to get fully tested to prevent congenital syphilis in their babies.

Congenital Syphilis
in Texas
As recently as 2022, Harris County accounted for 17 percent of congenital syphilis cases in Texas, the highest rate among the state’s 10-most populated counties. Also, HHD reported a nine-fold increase in congenital syphilis cases in Harris County in 2023, and a 128 percent increase in cases among women since 2019. Statistical data indicates the problem is made worse due to some health care physicians relying on faulty screening procedures during treatment of their prenatal care patients.
The My Prenatal Commitment campaign seeks to establish a well-coordinated, test-confirm-report partnership between physicians and HHD to detect and treat any sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) that could lead to congenital syphilis cases in newborns.
Discover more about the impact of congenital syphilis and how to address it —visit the HHD syphilis prevention page.
A Comprehensive Guide on Congenital Syphilis Testing and Treatment
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care providers can help reduce syphilis rates by:
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Testing — Anyone who is pregnant should be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, and some may need to be tested again during their third trimester and at delivery.
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Treating — The preferred treatment for syphilis is penicillin G, administered parenterally. The preparation, dosage, and length of treatment depends on the stage of the disease.
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Reporting — Physicians are required to report cases to their state or local health department. Some states may also require reporting of suspected cases, including partners of diagnosed patients.
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Treating Partners — To avoid reinfection, healthcare providers should test and treat the sex partners of infected women.
This guide empowers healthcare providers with essential resources to combat congenital syphilis. Take the first step—access the toolkit today!
DOWNLOAD THE CS TOOLKITMake Your Commitment Today
Join the fight against congenital syphilis—take the physician's pledge today and inspire others to do the same!