STD Update: Current Trends and Treatments

Conclusions

• There are over 1 million new STD cases globally every day, and the trend is worsening.
• The number of uncured STDs is significant, with millions of curable cases each year primarily from syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
• The CDC has removed certain uncommon STDs from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance due to their declining prevalence in the US.
• Syphilis rates have increased, particularly in populations with higher proportions of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.
• Congenital syphilis remains a serious issue, with high numbers of cases reported in specific regions of the US.
• Doxycycline has shown to significantly reduce bacterial STDs when given post-exposure, especially for individuals engaging in high-risk behavior.
• There is a current shortage of the standard treatment for syphilis (Benzathine penicillin), leading to imports of non-FDA approved alternatives.
• A promising new treatment for acyclovir-resistant HSV-2 is on the horizon, which could be beneficial for patients suffering from this infection.
• New therapies for genital warts and molluscum contagiosum show potential in managing difficult cases effectively.
• Resistance to traditional scabies treatment is increasing, necessitating the development of new treatment options like spinosad suspension.