US proposes a world-first policy of using doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis to reduce STI rates. The podcast discusses the effectiveness of this approach and features a personal story of a Canadian man with syphilis. Other topics include the most effective COVID-19 disease trackers, blood analysis to understand longevity, and a global support group for grief.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA has proposed a new policy called Doxy PEP, which involves giving a common antibiotic to individuals shortly after unprotected sex to prevent STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, potentially leading to the first national guideline recommending this practice anywhere in the world.
The most effective methods for tracking COVID-19 rates include random testing of individuals in the general population, monitoring hospital admissions, and utilizing a symptom reporting app, while monitoring sewage and analyzing Google search trends are less reliable approaches.
Deep dives
Syphilis on the Rise: The Resurgence of a Sexual Infectious Disease
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, is making a comeback in many countries worldwide. It can be easily mistaken for other conditions and goes through several stages, including a latent stage that can last for decades. However, some cases progress to tertiary syphilis, which can be fatal. The rise in syphilis can be attributed to factors such as increased testing, changes in sexual practices, and population growth.
Doxypep: A New Approach to Preventing the Spread of STIs
Doxypep is a new approach to preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. The method involves taking antibiotics after unprotected sex but before knowing if an infection has occurred. Preliminary studies have shown promising results, with a significant reduction in the incidence of the targeted STIs. Doxypep is currently being used in clinics in San Francisco, and officials in the US are considering recommending its use nationwide.
The Best Methods for Tracking COVID-19 Rates
A study published in Lancet Public Health examined the effectiveness of various methods for tracking COVID-19 rates. The most reliable method involved randomly testing individuals in the general population for the virus. Other effective approaches included monitoring hospital admissions and using an app where individuals reported their symptoms. However, monitoring sewage and analyzing Google search trends proved less reliable for tracking COVID-19 rates. These findings provide valuable insights for future pandemic management strategies.
‘Doxy PEP’, or doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, is where a common antibiotic is given to someone shortly after having unprotected sex to avoid the chance of them getting an STI like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. It’s an idea being put forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA to cut STI rates. If their proposal is rolled out across the country, it would be the first national guideline recommending Doxy PEP for certain individuals, anywhere in the world. Claudia Hammond speaks to Professor Annie Luetkemeyer about the evidence for Doxy PEP, and hears from a Canadian man who had syphilis.
BBC Health and Science Correspondent James Gallagher brings Claudia new research on the most effective COVID-19 disease trackers. And a study from Sweden which could help us understand why people live beyond 100, by analysing their blood.
And they hear from people around the world who have come together to talk about grief. The New Normal is a charity that has its roots in a barber shop in the UK when Ben (the barber) and Jack (his client) realised they shared the experience of losing their fathers. They set up a support group where people could share honest stories about grief. Now the charity have members across the globe who meet online and share stories about losing the people they love.