Dec. 16, 2024
The New Mexico Department of Health has renewed recommendations for syphilis screening. New Mexico had the second highest rate of congenital syphilis and primary/secondary syphilis in the nation in 2023, per a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syphilis can cause long-term complications or death if not adequately treated.
Due to the continued high rates of syphilis in the state, NMDOH recommends screening:
- Pregnant individuals during the first and third trimesters and at the time of delivery
- All non-pregnant individuals ages 18 to 50 annually
CDC guidelines: The CDC recommends providers follow its 2024 clinical guidelines on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of syphilis and other bacterial sexually transmitted infections.
The CDC recommends providers discuss doxy PEP with patients and offer a prescription for self-administration of 200 mg of doxycycline within 72 hours after oral, vaginal or anal sex. The dosage should not exceed 200 mg within a 24-hour period.
For more information, review the NMDOH’s Public Health Order.
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their member guide or member contract for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.