Syphilis cases in expectant mothers have dramatically risen since the pandemic – here’s what’s driving the trend
- Written by Casey Pinto, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, Penn State
A pregnant mother with untreated syphilis can pass it to the unborn fetus.Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty ImagesSyphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.
During pregnancy, this bacteria can pass from a mother with untreated syphilis, known as maternal syphilis, to her child in utero, causing the...