Those who want to protect themselves against infection with the HI Virus, can not do only with condoms, but also with the so-called pre-exposure prophylaxis, a short Prep. However, The combination of Drugs prevents HIV infection as well as condoms, but they are not protected against other sexually transmitted diseases. Doctors diagnosed almost three-quarters of the patients who took Prep, within the first year of use, gonorrhea, chlamydia or Syphilis. The report by researchers Jason Ong, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, now in the journal “Jama Network Open”.
The scientists Ong, including employees of the world health organization (WHO), had analyzed 88 studies from five continents on the use of Prep. While in the entrance examination for 23.9 percent of the patients gonorrhea, chlamydia or Syphilis had been diagnosed, increased the number of diseases within the first year of the use of Prep to 72.2 percent.
For a long time already, experts fear that Prep could drugs tempt the user to use less condoms and thus increases the risk of becoming infected with other sexually transmitted diseases. Suitable Prep to the German-Austrian guidelines for different groups of people.
More than 7000 Syphilis cases in Germany per year
That sexually transmitted diseases are also not neglect in this country, show a few days ago, Figures published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI): in 2018, the Syphilis-new cases were in Germany, therefore, in the case of 7232 cases, and thus at a similarly high level as in the previous year. The bacteria triggered the infection disease can be cured by antibiotics, if left untreated, damage to the brain and the blood, threaten the long-term vessels. The risk of contagion is the Numbers of the RKI, according to the Federal States varies: In Berlin, there was, therefore, to 32.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Thuringia, only 4.3. The national average was 8.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Armin Schafberger of the Deutsche AIDS Hilfe in Berlin, the Figures of the current Prep-study are not surprising. He is, however, that the study of the nature and extent of the medical examinations and diagnoses are not considered. This shows, for example, that gonorrhea, chlamydia and Syphilis in countries with high average incomes were much more prevalent than in countries with low or medium average income. A possible reason is that In rich Nations, even those are often based on diseases that have no symptoms. “If you look closer, you will find even more”, stressed sheep Berger.
Similar studies, albeit with less data with comparable results, we have already, so sheep Berger. He had hoped for from the current analysis, the data will be used to give clear recommendations for the medical monitoring Prep to. But still is unclear whether the fighting of infections without symptoms uses of antibiotics, the patient more or more harm – for example, because of the frequent use can lead to antibiotic resistance.
Sheep Berger sees in the high diagnostic numbers is also something Positive: “you show that you achieved on the Prep treatment actually, the groups have a great risk for sexually transmitted diseases.” This is a good opportunity for preventive measures. Because during the Prep treatment to the patients every three months, not only on HIV examine. The German-Austrian Prep guidelines also recommend tests for Hepatitis C (every six to twelve months), Syphilis (every three months), gonorrhea (every three to six months) and chlamydia (every three to six months).
