{"id":313355,"date":"2023-11-18T09:00:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T14:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platohealth.ai\/taking-antibiotic-after-sex-could-slash-your-risk-for-an-sti-heres-what-to-know-drugs-com-mednews\/"},"modified":"2023-11-18T09:32:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T14:32:25","slug":"taking-antibiotic-after-sex-could-slash-your-risk-for-an-sti-heres-what-to-know-drugs-com-mednews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platohealth.ai\/taking-antibiotic-after-sex-could-slash-your-risk-for-an-sti-heres-what-to-know-drugs-com-mednews\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Antibiotic After Sex Could Slash Your Risk for an STI. Here’s What to Know – Drugs.com MedNews","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Medically reviewed<\/a> by Drugs.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, Nov.18 — Data showing that the antibiotic doxycycline<\/a> might prevent a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if taken soon after sex made headlines earlier this year.<\/p>\n

As surging numbers of cases of syphilis and gonorrhea affect more Americans, here’s what you need to know about using the drug.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re actively having sex and not using condoms 100% of the time, which is the reality out there, this strategy could be appropriate for you,\u201d said Dr. Christopher Foltz<\/a>, an infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. \u201cIt comes down to each person\u2019s individual risk level, something that you should discuss with your physician.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that syphilis, especially, has reemerged with a vengeance in recent years as a health threat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSyphilis has been climbing at the highest rate with a significant increase among pregnant women and men who have sex with men,” Foltz said in a hospital news release.<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis cases among gay and bisexual men in the United States rose by 7% between 2020-2021. <\/p>\n

Rates of new cases of the disease rose even more steeply among women: a 55.3% jump between 2020 and 2021, and 217.4% rise between 2017 and 2021 overall. That means more babies potentially being born with syphilis, as well.<\/p>\n

You may not even realize you are infected with syphilis, Foltz noted, since in many cases it can lurk symptom-free for years. But left undiagnosed, long-term syphilis can cause blindness and neurological issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s what we’re trying to prevent — these kinds of catastrophic long-term complications from undiagnosed STIs,\u201d Foltz said. \u201cIf we can prevent infections with a relatively safe and easy-to-take antibiotic, the overall number of new infections will ultimately decrease.\u201d<\/p>\n

That’s why the new data on doxcycycline is so promising. A trial found that one 200 milligram (mg) dose of the drug — which has been used to treat other ailments for years — could prevent infection with syphilis and chlamydia if taken within 72 hours of a sexual encounter.<\/p>\n

The strategy has even gained a nickname: “Doxy on Demand” or “Doxy PEP” (post-exposure prophylaxis).<\/p>\n

The method isn’t foolproof however, and it’s no reason to forgo the use of condoms, Foltz warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe absolutely encourage condom use to prevent against other STDs and HIV as an added barrier of protection for prevention,” he stressed.<\/p>\n

Doxycycline is not advised for certain groups: Pregnant women and anyone known to be allergic to a class of antibiotics known as tetracyclines. Always consult with your doctor before taking any antibiotic.<\/p>\n

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Sources<\/h2>\n