Taiwan CDC urges youth to use the “Sexual Health Friendly Resource Map” to protect privacy and safeguard health

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (hereafter “TCDC”) reports that in recent years the domestic sexually transmitted infection (STI) landscape has shown varying trends: syphilis cases continue to rise, while HIV infections and gonorrhea cases are declining, yet both still require ongoing prevention, control, and monitoring. In 2025, the nation recorded 879 new HIV infections and 6,417 new gonorrhea cases, representing decreases of 12% and 16% respectively compared with 2024 (1,000 and 7,607 cases). However, syphilis added 9,935 new cases, a modest 2% increase over 2024’s 9,737 cases. Among youths aged 15‑24, syphilis cases rose by 8% to 1,892, up from 1,754 in 2024. Since monkeypox (M‑pox) was added to the statutory infectious disease surveillance list in 2023, a total of 521 cases have been confirmed, and seven domestic cases were added in 2026, indicating that the risk of STI infection among young people remains a concern. TCDC explains that HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and monkeypox are primarily transmitted through unsafe sexual activity—i.e., sex without a condom—and co‑infection with multiple STIs is common. Clinicians have observed patients who, after unsafe sex, contract syphilis that initially presents only as a painless ulcer or rash, or even remains asymptomatic, leading to delayed care until neurological symptoms such as recurrent headaches prompt medical evaluation. Early HIV infection often mimics a common cold with fever, sore throat, fatigue, or lymphadenopathy, and can be easily overlooked. TCDC advises that anyone who has engaged in unsafe sex seek medical attention within 72 hours; a physician can assess the need for HIV post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and prescribe a 28‑day course, which markedly reduces the risk of HIV acquisition. International studies also show that, under professional medical assessment, doxycycline used as post‑exposure prophylaxis for syphilis (doxy‑PEP) can lower syphilis infection risk. These preventive measures must be evaluated promptly after exposure, with careful consideration of antimicrobial resistance, and cannot replace safe sexual practices (condom use with water‑based lubricant) and regular screening. Because domestic Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibits high resistance rates to penicillin, tetracycline, and quinolone antibiotics, these agents are not recommended for gonorrhea treatment; consequently, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin are also not advised for gonorrhea prophylaxis. The public should not self‑medicate with antibiotics to avoid fostering resistance that could limit future treatment options and jeopardize long‑term health. TCDC notes that, to enhance public STI knowledge and improve screening accessibility, it has created a “Sex‑Health Friendly Resource Map” on the Line@ TCDC platform, featuring self‑testing/anonymous HIV testing sites, designated medical facilities, anonymous STI counseling, PrEP and PEP resources, sex‑health‑friendly clinics, and condom vending machines, searchable by need and location. Additionally, individuals meeting the criteria for monkeypox vaccination—such as having engaged in risk behaviors in the past year (e.g., multiple sexual partners, sex work, sexual activity in commercial venues), a history of STIs, or having a sexual partner with any of these risk factors—should promptly complete the two‑dose publicly funded monkeypox vaccine series. Information on participating medical institutions can be found on the TCDC website under the Monkeypox section (https://gov.tw/3SG). For further questions, callers can reach the toll‑free domestic epidemic‑prevention hotline at 1922 (or 0800‑001922).

Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control

Data compiled by: Infection Control Office