The control of syphilis, a contemporary problem: a historical perspective

The control of syphilis in the United Kingdom and United States has been ma naged in different ways in each country over the course of the last century . Older more established measures including contact tracing, serological su rveillance, and health education strategies together with effective antibio tic therapy have had some success. However, changing social structures on b oth sides of the Atlantic Ocean have brought newer mathematical and epidemi ological methods to the fore. This review looks at the past management of s yphilis control in the United Kingdom and United States, and speculates on future prospects for disease management in these countries.