CDC endorses prophylactic antibiotics to reduce STIs in high-risk groups
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finalized its guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis against bacterial sexually transmitted infections on Tuesday. For groups at higher risk of contracting syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, the agency now recommends taking doxycycline, an antibiotic, within 72 hours of having sex.
Doxycycline has been used to prevent malaria infection both before and after exposure, but this is the first time the antibiotic has been used prophylactically against STIs. “Doxy PEP represents the first new STI prevention tool in decades, at a time when innovation in the nation’s fight against STIs is desperately needed,” the CDC wrote in the guideline announcement. The spread of syphilis in the United States in particular has been cause for concern in recent years, as cases reach levels unseen since the 1950s.
Read Original Article: CDC endorses prophylactic antibiotics to reduce STIs in high-risk groups »
