The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Oct. 2 rolled out draft guidelines recommending the use of the antibiotic doxycycline as a form of post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) to prevent the spread of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the LGBTQ community amid a national rise in syphilis and gonorrhea infections. PEP typically refers to the practice of taking medication when an individual believe they may have been exposed to an STI after having sex. PEP is already available in New York City for individuals exposed to HIV. The CDC’s new guidelines, specifically geared towards gay and bisexual men and transgender women at risk of contracting an STI, comes after research published in April found that taking doxy PEP could help lower rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.