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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

COVID-19 Vaccines and People with HIV

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone, including people with HIV, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age groups. According to CDC, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, including people with advanced or untreated HIV, may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine.

People with HIV should talk to their health care provider if they have questions about getting COVID-19 vaccine.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine location, visit Vaccines.gov.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit:


HIV & STI News

"Mahogany Blue" PrEP Campaign | July 18, 2024

MDHHS is continuing its commitment to raising awareness about the critical importance of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for Black women in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the launch of the “Mahogany Blue” campaign.

“Mahogany Blue” focuses on sharing information about PrEP with Black women residing in Wayne County and emphasizes the significance of PrEP in protecting Black women's health and well-being. Learn more at Michigan.gov/PrEPandBlackWomen.
 

MDHHS Encourages Michiganders to Get Tested During National HIV Testing Day | June 27, 2024

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages all Michiganders get tested and know their HIV status in support of National HIV Testing Day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about one in seven people with HIV in the U.S. don’t know their status and need testing. Currently, the CDC recommends everyone ages 13 and older be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime as part of routine health care, and people who engage in condomless sex or injection drug use should get tested more often. 

To learn more about HIV testing, treatment and ending HIV stigma, visit CDC.gov/HIV. Michigan offers many free or reduced-cost HIV testing and treatment resources across the state. To find HIV testing locations, treatment resources or other information, visit Find HIV and STI Testing.
 

Michigan Pride Survey 2023

The Michigan HIV/AIDS Council (MHAC) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) partnered to survey people at local pride events in 2023. The purpose of the survey was to understand people's knowledge and utilization of HIV and STI testing, prevention strategies and prevention activities. The Michigan Pride Survey 2023 Infographic provides a high-level overview of the survey results.
 

MDHHS Encourages Residents to Get Tested During STI Awareness Week | April 14-20, 2024

As part of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding Michiganders to make sure STI screening is part of their regular health care routine

Chlamydia and gonorrhea remain the most common STIs in Michigan. Teens and young adults across all demographic groups are most impacted by chlamydia and gonorrhea, with Black Michiganders being disproportionately affected compared to white Michiganders. Syphilis continues to increase at an alarming rate throughout the state.

In addition to getting tested for STIs, residents can get vaccinations for hepatitis B and HPV and use condoms. Reducing the number of sexual partners can also reduce the chance for STIs.
 

MDHHS Reminds All People to Participate in Routine STI Screening | February 7, 2024

MDHHS is recommending sexually active people in Michigan get screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) now and as part of their routine health care. 

The CDC released its 2022 STI Surveillance Report and reported more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia in the United States. As STIs can be present without symptoms, it is important to be screened for timely diagnoses and treatment. 

The State of STIs in Michigan Infographic provides an overview of 2022 Michigan STI data.
 

"MIPrEP. MIChoice." Campaign | January 16, 2024

MDHHS is launching a campaign targeted at sharing information to Michigan residents about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which can prevent the spread of HIV. This initiative, titled "MIPrEP. MIChoice.” shines a spotlight on authentic stories from real people across Michigan who use PrEP to prevent the spread of HIV.

To read stories from real people in Michigan who are using PrEP to prevent HIV, visit Michigan.gov/MIPrEP.

 


Clinical Alerts

Notification of Rapid Rise in Congenital Syphilis

In recent years, rates of primary and secondary (PS) syphilis in women have increased substantially across the United States; 21% from 2019-2020 and 147% between 2016-2020. The data suggest a shift from largely affecting men who have sex with men, to a heterosexual syphilis epidemic. Michigan is following these trends with 21% of PS syphilis cases reported in 2021 occurring among women of childbearing age.

As rates of syphilis in women continue to increase, so do reported cases of congenital syphilis (CS). Rates of CS in the US have increased every year since 2013. Michigan has seen a 320% increase since 2017. In 2021, 42 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in Michigan reaching the highest numbers since the early 1990’s. A pregnant woman can transmit syphilis to her child during any stage of syphilis and any trimester of pregnancy. However, the risk of transmission is highest if the mother has been recently infected.

Syphilis symptoms can present in several stages. The primary syphilis chancre is painless and may not be noted by infected persons, as it resolves even without treatment. Most patients who seek care do so with secondary syphilis symptoms that include a rash, often on the palms and soles, condyloma lata, and lymphadenopathy. Left untreated, syphilis can cause cardiac system abnormalities and neurological symptoms in later stages.

To identify cases early in infection and prevent further transmission, clinicians are requested to follow these recommendations:

  • Test all women who present with other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or have risk factors for STIs.
  • All pregnant women residing in Michigan should be screened for syphilis at their first prenatal appointment and again in the third trimester between 28-32 weeks, as required by State Law.
  • Infants should not be discharged from the hospital, unless the mother has been tested for syphilis at least once during pregnancy and preferably again at delivery.

Treatment for syphilis should be appropriate for the diagnosed stage with one to three shots of benzathine penicillin G, 2.4 million units IM. (see CDC Treatment Guidelines - Syphilis During Pregnancy). Infants born to untreated mothers, or mothers with inadequate treatment (including those treated CDC Treatment Guidelines - Congenital Syphilis).

For more information on congenital syphilis please contact Aleigha Phillips, Congenital Syphilis Coordinator. For other syphilis questions, contact Tiera Defoe, Statewide Provider Liaison.

 

2021 Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. This document provides current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The new guidelines include notable updates from the previous 2015 guidance, including:

  • updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and pelvic inflammatory disease;
  • updated treatment recommendations for uncomplicated gonorrhea in neonates, children, and other specific clinical situations (e.g., proctitis, epididymitis, sexual assault), which builds on broader treatment changes published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report;
  • information on FDA-cleared diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma genitalium and rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea;
  • expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant patients;
  • recommended two-step serologic testing for diagnosing genital herpes simplex virus;
  • harmonized recommendations for human papillomavirus vaccination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; and
  • recommended universal hepatitis C testing in alignment with CDC's 2020 hepatitis C testing recommendations.

 

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

Michigan Public Act 525 of 2014 (MCL 333.5110) authorized the use of expedited partner therapy (EPT) for certain sexually transmitted infections as designated by the state health department. In April 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services designated chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis as infections for which the use of EPT is appropriate.

 


Updates for Bureau of HIV and STI Programs (BHSP) Partners

 

The Bureau of HIV and STI Programs (BHSP) quarterly newsletter and other related updates provide important information about HIV and STIs in Michigan. Below you will find previous issues of the newsletter and other updates for BHSP Partners:

  • October 2024 - "Stop Syphilis" Campaign Launch
    In response to increasing rates of syphilis, especially among pregnant persons (congenital syphilis), Michigan has launched the "Stop Syphilis" campaign. This campaign underscores MDHHS’s commitment to raising awareness about the importance of syphilis testing among sexually active individuals living in Michigan. 
  • September 2024 Newsletter
    This newsletter includes information on doxy PEP, the Corktown LGBTQ+ Health and Social Services Disparities Program, the Dual Path Platform 2 pilot project, new recommendations to prevent anal cancer for people with HIV, a recap of the HIV/STI Conference, and more.
  • July 2024 - "Mahogany Blue" PrEP Campaign Launch
    This update includes information on the "Mahogany Blue" PrEP campaign. “Mahogany Blue” is a campaign dedicated to empowering women by recognizing the unique barriers Black women encounter in accessing HIV prevention tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
  • June 2024 Newsletter
    This newsletter features information on National HIV Testing Day, Pride 2024, the 2024 HIV and STI Conference, CDC's doxy PEP clinical guidelines for bacterial STI prevention, available mpox printed materials, and more.
  • March 2024 Newsletter
    This newsletter features information on a new policy related to anonymous testing within supported agencies, the MIPrEP MIChoice campaign launch, the newly updated HIV/STI Hotline website, and more.
  • December 2023 Updates
    Updates include information on the upcoming Michigan PrEP Campaign, Medicaid to begin covering community health worker services, a new primer for providers on Michigan's HIV laws, and an mpox update from the CDC.

Email Updates

Sign up for the BHSP newsletter and other HIV and STI related updates.