Treatment For Gonorrhea

How is Gonorrhea Treated?

Gonorrhea is a curable STD if treated correctly. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends a dual therapy regime of a single dose of 250mg ceftriaxone, which is administered by injection, coupled with a 1g oral azithromycin tablet.

Treatment of gonorrhea has become a growing challenge for medical and pharmaceutical professionals. While the dual therapy regime, above, has been successful at treating and curing gonorrhea for several decades past, new antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea are emerging. Drug resistance strains have evolved due to the increase in gonorrhea infections as a whole in addition to improper and late treatment, as well as the need for repeated treatment due to high rates of reinfection.

Treating Gonorrhea Is A Time Sensitive Matter!

The CDC has published an "Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative" to reduce the ability of a gonorrhea infection to become drug resistant. The two main pillars of this initiative are rapid detection and rapid treatment. This means that not only should testing be performed on a routine basis but that test results need to be turned around quickly.

STDAware provides quick and accessible means of testing and also has the fastest turn around time for test result delivery, in the industry (1-2 days versus 2-6 weeks for hospital laboratory results).

The CDC believes that with rapid detection and treatment less than 2% of gonorrhea infections will be able to develop a resistance to the current treatment protocol.¹

Although antibiotics will, generally, stop and cure a gonorrhea infection, they will not undo any damage the virus may have caused to the body before it was treated. A gonorrhea infection can cause severe damage to the internal organs of both men and women. If left untreated, gonorrhea can destroy tissue and spread to the blood resulting in neurological damage, damage to the heart and heart failure. By the nature of female anatomy, women are at a significantly higher risk of suffering long-term reproductive damage from a gonorrhea infection. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a dangerous condition which can cause significant fertility issues and, in some cases, can be life-threatening.

Early detection is crucial to addressing a gonorrhea infection before it can do significant damage. Coupled with the fact that a gonorrhea infection can, often, be present in the body without any outward symptoms while also increasing the risk of contracting HIV, further establishes the significance and need of routine screening.

STD testing should be requested anytime there is a change in sexual partner or habits before initiating sexual contact. Identifying an STD before engaging in sex and treating any STD infections before a sexual relationship is established will prevent the spread of gonorrhea and other STDs.

In the event that the gonorrhea infection proves to be drug-resistant, doctors will prescribe a more extensive treatment. Instead of the dual therapy of a single injection and oral medication, it is likely that a seven day course of antibiotics will be prescribed in addition to the dual therapy. Extended treatments are often made up of two different types of antibiotics. For treatment to be successful, it is crucial to take all of the medication according to the doctor’s instructions. Do not share the medication with an infected partner. Failure to take all of the medication, as indicated, will result in the infection not being eradicated from the system and leaves opportunity for the gonorrhea infection to become further resistant to treatment and harder, if not impossible, to cure.

STDAware offers no-cost medical consultation and treatment plans for individuals who test positive for a gonorrhea infection.

How Long Does Gonorrhea Treatment Take?

The earlier a gonorrhea infection is identified, the easier it is to treat. Once treatment is started, symptoms should start to abate within 2 – 10 days. When treating gonorrhea or any other STD, it is critical to abstain from any sexual activity (oral, manual, vaginal or anal) until treatment is complete and the doctor confirms it is okay to resume sexual activity. Often a follow-up test is necessary to verify that the infection has been fully eradicated from the body.

Any sexual partners should also be tested and treated if necessary. Open and honest communication with any sexual partners is vital to ensuring that you are not subject to becoming re-infected, which could lead to drug resistance and complications in the successful treatment of a gonorrhea infection.

Depending on the State in which you live, a gonorrhea infection can be considered a public health hazard and your physician may be required to report it to the county health department.

STDAware testing is 100% confidential and your information will not be shared with anyone.

Can I Be Allergic To Treatment?

If someone has a penicillin allergy, there is potential to have an adverse reaction to the antibiotic treatment for gonorrhea. Depending on personal health history, a physician will be able to prescribe an effective alternative for treating anyone with a penicillin allergy or who has a history of gonorrhea infection(s).

In general, side effects from gonorrhea treatment can include temporary itching, rash or redness, and pain or discomfort at the injection site (buttocks), upset stomach, and yeast infections. If symptoms persist for longer than the treatment period, contact your physician immediately.

How Much Does Treatment Cost Without Insurance?

A gonorrhea test online costs around $100. Be aware that a gonorrhea infection increases the likelihood of having a chlamydia or HIV infection and testing for those STDs at the same time should be considered.

STDAware offers full panel and individual testing solutions. Click here to see all of the STD options offered at STDAware.

How To Get Treatment

Treatment options will vary based on personal health history and the State in which you live (gonorrhea strains may vary by geographic location). In the United States, confirmation of a gonorrhea infection by testing is required for treatment to be prescribed.

STDAware offers no-cost consultation and treatment options to individuals who test positive for having gonorrhea or other STDs.

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