CDC releases its latest STIs figures… and it’s not good news
CDC has issued its latest STI figures for the US and it’s not good news. The STI epidemic that the organization has warned about in previous years shows signs of escalating.Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis have all seen an increase in rates, beating previous figures.
Key findings say gonorrhea rates increased by more than 4%. Chlamydia rates also increased by nearly 4%, but have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.Meanwhile, syphilis rates surged, increasing nearly 32%.
Yikes!The CDC notes, “2021 data show STIs continue to disproportionately affect gay and bisexual men and younger people. Additionally, a disproportionate number of cases were diagnosed among Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native people, groups more likely to face social conditions that make it more difficult to stay healthy.”The organization says the country has to do more to make “STI testing and treatment more accessible, including through the development and approval of point-of-care rapid tests and self-tests.”It also indicates it might be on the verge of officially recommending DoxyPEP.DoxyPEP is short for Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.
It involves taking the antibiotic doxycycline after a sexual encounter to minimize the chances of acquiring an STI such as gonorrhea or syphilis.A study last year found that when used within three days after unprotected sex, doxycycline reduces STIs by more than 60% in gay men.
