Do HIV Pills Really Increase the Risk of Contracting Another Infection?

Imagine: you've finally started taking pills that protect you from HIV. But then you find out you've been diagnosed with syphilis. And you're not alone. Scientists from Thailand studied data from nearly 25,000 men taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and discovered an unexpected pattern. So what's going on? Let's break it down.

Numbers That Make You Think

The study covered men who have sex with men, aged 15 to 49. All of them enrolled in the national HIV prevention program from 2020 to 2024. Each was offered tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other infections. And here's the result: 8% of them had at least one infection, with the most common being syphilis (7.7%). That means one in twelve men who came for HIV protection already had syphilis. That's a significant number, right?

What Else Did the Study Show?

The most interesting part is who falls into the risk group. It turned out that infections are most often found in young men aged 20–24 (8.6%) and in older men aged 35–49 (8.7%). Moreover, the older the man, the higher the chance of contracting syphilis—possibly because they have been sexually active longer and get tested less frequently.

What Do the Pills Have to Do with It?

And here's the main surprise: those who had already taken PrEP had infections more often (9.7%) than newcomers (7.7%). It sounds scary, but let's calmly analyze this. This does not mean that the pills cause infections. Most likely, it's something else: people who are already taking PrEP tend to use condoms less because they feel protected from HIV. But these pills do not protect against syphilis or gonorrhea. So there's a double effect: on one hand, HIV retreats; on the other, other infections get more opportunities.

What Should You Do If You Take PrEP?

If you are taking PrEP or are just about to start, don't panic. But be sure to remember: PrEP only protects against HIV, not against all infections. So get tested regularly for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STIs—at least every six months, and ideally every time you change partners. And don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it. Consider combining PrEP with tests for hepatitis C—in the study, such men had infections three times more often (24% vs. 8% overall). This is not a verdict but a call to be more attentive to your health.

The Bottom Line

The study reminds us: safe sex is not just about pills, but also about regular testing. PrEP does a tremendous job against HIV, but it doesn't address the issue of other infections. So take care of yourself, get tested, and discuss risks with your partners. That's the best thing you can do for your health.