WHO guidelines for the treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis)

Overview

These guidelines provide updated recommendations for treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) in adults and adolescents, including pregnant women, people living with HIV and those who are immunocompromised, as well as treatment for congenital syphilis. 

These guidelines are intended for policy-makers, programme managers, health workers and any other public health professionals responsible for planning or implementing STI services (stand-alone or integrated with other health services). These guidelines will also be a resource for donor and development agencies as well as international, nongovernmental, civil society and community-based organizations, and those working with or led by key populations and the communities affected the most by STIs, including HIV.

Note: Please refer to the "Updated recommendations for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Treponema pallidum (‎syphilis)‎ and new recommendations on syphilis testing and partner services" published in 2024 for the second line treatment for syphilis in pregnancy. The treament recommendations for syphilis in other populations remains the same as published in this 2016 guidelines.