New HIV PrEP Doesn’t Protect Against Other STIs

Health officials in Bulawayo have welcomed the introduction of Lenacapavir as a big step forward in HIV prevention, but they have warned that the long-acting injectable PrEP doesn’t offer protection against other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).

City of Bulawayo Health Services director, Dr Edwin Sibanda-Mzingwane, said opportunistic infections and STIs are still a serious concern, especially among sexually active people. He said:

“Pre-exposure prophylaxis protects against HIV, but it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis or chlamydia.

“We are increasingly seeing cases of drug-resistant gonorrhoea globally, and that is worrying.

“If people abandon condom use because they feel protected from HIV, we may face another public health challenge.

“We, therefore, celebrate Lenacapavir as an addition to our combination prevention strategy, but abstinence, faithfulness and condomising still work.

“Condoms have not gone out of fashion and are still proven to be highly effective against HIV, pregnancy, and STIs.”

More: Chronicle

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