CDC Recommends Antibiotics to Prevent Spread of STDs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends doctors prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Specifically, healthcare providers must offer a single dose of 200 milligrams of doxycycline within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.
According to the guide, the recommendation applies to high-risk individuals such as gay, bisexual, and transgender men who have sex with other men or women. According to the publication, Doxazepine treatment reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia, Syphilis and Gonorrhea.
The agency points out that around 40% of sexually transmitted diseases could be avoided in affected populations. However, the CDC is seeking public comments until November 16 to make appropriate corrections, should the document need to be modified.
The document indicates that focusing on groups that report more STDs will help eradicate the wave of infections and minimize antibiotic use in the general population. The guidelines were based on four studies on the use of doxycycline against bacterial sexually transmitted diseases.
Common uses of doxycycline include malaria prevention, Lyme disease prevention, chlamydia prevention, and syphilis prevention in non-pregnant women with severe penicillin allergy or when they cannot use penicillin for any reason.
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The effectiveness of DoxyPEP has not been studied in other populations, such as heterosexual males, cisgender females, queer and non-binary individuals. However, the studies suggest that it should be just as effective. The CDC will also track the risk of bacteria building resistance to DoxyPEP from use.
STDs in the United States
Over 2.5 million Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis cases were reported in the United States in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chlamydia accounted for more than half of those cases, while gonorrhea rates increased by about 4%. Syphilis cases increased by 32% in just one year.
In addition to the above-mentioned risk groups, there was also an alarming rise in STDs transmitted from pregnant women to developing fetuses in utero. In 2021, congenital syphilis caused 220 fetal and infant deaths.
DoxyPEP treatment reduces the rate of STDs by up to 65%, according to a study led by researchers at UC San Francisco and Washington University School of Medicine.
The study included a sample of at least 500 male sex partners and transgender women, all with a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) within the previous 12 months. Participants were randomly assigned treatment with doxyPEP and the rest were assigned their usual treatment.
According to the study, every three months, the number of sexually transmitted infections (STDs) decreased by two-thirds among those who received doxyPep within 72 hours after unprotected sex. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not a new concept, but it has been implemented by some local health.
In fact, the San Francisco Department of Public Health released doxyPEP guidance in October. Although California had previously published it in Abria, both documents were aimed at healthcare providers.
The goal was to recommend the use of doxyPEP to men who have sex with men or transgender women, who have had at least one bacterial STD in the past 12 months.
