"Rationing Penicillin to Curb Deadly Syphilis Epidemic Amid 70-Year High in STD Rates"
Doctors in the US are facing a shortage of penicillin, the first-line treatment for the alarming surge in syphilis cases, which have increased by over 2,000 percent since 2002. The shortage has led to rationing of the drug, with priority given to pregnant patients due to the risk of congenital syphilis. The epidemic is partly attributed to a drop in condom use and the popularity of dating apps, while a wider drug shortage in America has left many without treatment for bacterial infections. The situation is exacerbated by manufacturing issues and supply-chain disruptions, with the pandemic also increasing demand for medication and equipment.