Preventive Antibiotic Use Leads to Decline in Syphilis and Gonorrhea Cases

The CDC reports a significant drop in syphilis and gonorrhea due to the adoption of doxycycline as a preventive measure among gay and bisexual men.

The CDC's latest report shows a 10% decrease in syphilis and a 7% decrease in gonorrhea cases in 2023, marking a hopeful shift in STI trends.
The decline in syphilis diagnoses is largely attributed to the use of doxycycline as a post-exposure prophylaxis by gay and bisexual men.
Chlamydia cases remain stable, with over 1.64 million reported, while syphilis cases in newborns continue to rise, highlighting testing gaps among pregnant women.
Experts credit increased STI testing and treatment efforts, along with public health funding, for the positive trends, although funding cuts pose future challenges.
Concerns remain about racial disparities in STI prevention, and ongoing research aims to address potential antibiotic resistance due to increased doxycycline use.