Michael D Humphrey et al. The medical Journal of Australia.
Syphilis continues to be a problematic health issue in many parts of the world.
There is a need to raise awareness that antenatal care is important not only for the mother's health but also for the wellbeing of the baby. Syphilis Division of Neonatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. T. pallidum does not survive well outside the host, the only precaution that must be taken by health personnel caring for syphilis infants is to avoid touching the infectious lesions. Except for the open skin lesions and mucous membrane lesions of the neonate, congenital syphilis is not infectious by contact. Therefore, no special isolation procedure is required.