STIs ‘could spike’ as coronavirus restrictions ease

Sexual health specialists urge doctors to offer harm minimisation advice

Doctors are being urged to watch for a potential spike in STI cases as the easing of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions leads to more opportunities for casual sex.

Clinicians are also reportedly already diagnosing recently acquired HIV infections in patients who had stopped taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) during the lockdown stage of the pandemic.