American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Within how many days should partners exposed to syphilis receive treatment regardless of serologic results?

30 days
60 days
90 days
120 days

The correct answer is: 90 days

The correct timeframe for partners exposed to syphilis to receive treatment, regardless of their serologic results, is 90 days. This is based on the understanding that syphilis is highly contagious and can be asymptomatic in many individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with syphilis should be treated presumptively to prevent further transmission and to reduce the risk of complications associated with untreated syphilis. Given the nature of syphilis transmission and the potential for a partner to be infected even if they do not show immediate symptoms or positive serological tests, acting within 90 days provides a reasonable window for effective intervention. This period aims to align with the likelihood of infection following exposure, ensuring timely treatment for those who may not yet exhibit detectable serological evidence of the disease. Any shorter timeframe might not sufficiently account for the variability in individual immune responses and the duration it takes for serologic tests to become positive post-exposure. Thus, 90 days is the established guideline for partners who have had recent exposure to syphilis.