Syphilis: The Great Masquerader

Syphilis: The Great Masquerader

From EMplify by EB Medicine by EB Medicine

January 30, 2026 · 22 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the rising prevalence of syphilis and its diagnosis and management in emergency medicine.

In this episode, Sam Ashoo, MD and T.R. Eckler, MD discuss the Januray 2026 Emergency Medicine Practice article, Emergency Department Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Syphilis Syphilis cases have surged 42% in the US, making it critical for emergency physicians to recognize and treat this "great masquerader." In this episode, hosts Sam Ashoo and Dr. T.R. Eckler break down the January 2026 Emergency Medicine Practice article on syphilis diagnosis and management. They cover the rising prevalence in high-risk populations, the four clinical stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), special presentations like neurosyphilis and congenital syphilis, and practical diagnostic approaches. With a national penicillin shortage, they discuss alternative treatment options including doxycycline and post-exposure prophylaxis. The conversation also addresses the dark history of the Tuskegee Study and its lasting impact on medical ethics. Whether you're seeing more cases in your ED or want to sharpen your diagnostic skills, this episode provides actionable insights for frontline providers. Timestamps [0:00] Opening/Introduction [0:11] Host Welcome & Resources [0:50] Episode…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sam Ashoo, MD, T.R. Eckler, MD

Topics covered

  • syphilis
  • emergency medicine
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • medical ethics

Keywords

  • syphilis
  • emergency department
  • diagnosis
  • treatment options
  • medical ethics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Emergency Medicine Practice

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