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Can Any Antibiotic Treat Std

When Should You Test For Gonorrhea Or Chlamydia At Home

An Antibiotic For Gonorrhea Is Becoming Less Effective

If youve recently had unprotected sex or potentially been exposed to gonorrhea or chlamydia, you may think that its important to get tested immediately. But taking an STD test too soon could actually lead to inaccurate results. Why? STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia will not be detectable in your system immediately following exposure. If you take a test too early, you may get a false negative result.

So how long should you wait to get tested for STDs? Every STD has a unique incubation period, which is the amount of time that it takes for the STD to be detectable in your system. The incubation period for chlamydia can range from 7 days to 21 days, whereas the incubation period for gonorrhea is up to 14 days.

Therefore, it is best to get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea two to three weeks following the initial exposure. If you take a test within the first two to three weeks following exposure, its best to get tested again after several weeks to ensure your initial results were accurate.

Which Antibiotics Will Treat Stds

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Why Doctors Dont Recommend This Yet

In most instances, healthcare professionals treat STIs based either on symptoms that you present with, the results of laboratory tests, or both. As STIs dont always have symptoms , it is recommended that people who have sex that puts them at risk test frequently and treat any STIs as soon as they are detected. It is also important to make sure that recent partners are treated.

Taking antibiotics prophylactically is not recommended yet, mainly due to major concerns about the development of antimicrobial resistance. Taking a drug and then catching an infection that easily develops resistance to it could further raise rates of resistance to that drug in the wider community. Resistance means that medications that were once effective at treating certain bacterial infections lose their ability to do so. Essentially, the bacterium outsmarts the medication, rendering it ineffective.

Resistant strains circulate within the population, resulting in the failure of treatments that had previously worked even in people not using antibiotics to prevent STIs. Gonorrhoea has evaded multiple classes of antibiotics, and few options remain available. Most recently, it has become resistant to azithromycin and therefore, this antibiotic is no longer recommended for treatment.

However, when it comes to using specific antibiotics to prevent specific STIs, its not all bad news see more under What about resistance?

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How Long Does It Take

It takes about one week for azithromycin to completely cure a chlamydial infection, and in some cases it can take up to two weeks for the infection to clear.

If you are sexually active during this time, you can pass the infection to your partner, even if you have no symptoms. For these reasons, you should avoid having sex of any kind during treatment.

Drug Treatment Of Common Stds: Part I Herpes Syphilis Urethritis Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

1 CHLAMYDIA

CAROL WOODWARD, PHARM.D., West Virginia University Hospitals, Morgantown, West Virginia

MELANIE A. FISHER, M.D., M.SC., West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia

Am Fam Physician. 1999 Oct 1 60:1387-1394.

This is Part I of a two-part article on drug treatment of common sexually transmitted diseases. Part II, Vaginal Infections, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Genital Warts, will appear in the next issue of AFP.

Several advances have been made in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases . These advances have been incorporated into the 1998 Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .1

Highly effective single-dose oral therapies are now available for most common curable STDs. Single-dose regimens may be used for the treatment of chancroid, nongonococcal urethritis, uncomplicated gonococcal infections, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, candidal vaginitis and chlamydial infections.

Improved therapies are now available for the treatment of genital herpes and human papillomavirus infections. New regimens have been approved for the use of acyclovir in the treatment of genital herpes. In addition, two new antiviral agents, valacyclovir and famciclovir , have been labeled for the treatment of genital herpes. Patient-applied therapies are now recommended for management of HPV.

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How Can You Test For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia At Home

You dont need to visit a lab, clinic, or doctors office to test for STDs. You can take this test in the comfort of your own home thanks to myLAB Box. Simply follow these steps:

  • Order your STD panel kit online on the myLAB box website. Dont worry, we even include free shipping! We offer discreet shipping, which means your neighbors wont know you are receiving an STD test in the mail.
  • Test yourself at any time and from any place using the easy-to-follow instructions. Your testing kit will include everything you need to complete the test. This part only takes five minutes!
  • Send your samples back to the lab with the pre-paid return envelope that comes with your kit.
  • Get results online in a matter of days. Results are typically sent within 2-5 days. Once you receive our email, you can log into a secure portal for your private results.
  • If you test positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia, you have the option of scheduling a phone consultation with a medical professional to discuss your results. The physician will answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you understand what steps you need to take next.

Bonus!

What Are The Side Effects Of Chlamydia Treatment

While doxycycline is an effective treatment for chlamydia, some people may have side effects when taking this chlamydia treatment.

Some common doxycycline side effects may include:

  • headaches
  • stomach ulcers
  • joint or muscle pain

If you have any side effects when taking doxycycline, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

The full list of doxycycline side effects and cautions can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine package.

When taking doxycycline, you should avoid drinking alcohol as it reduces doxycyclines effectiveness. You should also avoid sunlight as increased sensitivity to light has been reported as a side effect of doxycycline.

You should stop taking doxycycline and seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following rare but severe side effects, or symptoms of an allergic reaction:

  • Ringing in your ear
  • Fever, swollen lymph nodes or skin rash
  • Symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, swollen face, lips, mouth, hand or feet

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Can I Get Chlamydia Treatment Over The Counter

Tessa Chatham Registered Nurse

Tessa Chatham Registered Nurse

Tessa is a MSN prepared Registered Nurse with 10 years of critical care experience in healthcare. When not practicing clinical nursing, she enjoys academic writing and is passionate about helping those affected by medical aliments live healthy lives.

What Is The Best Home Remedy For Chlamydia

How to Cure and Treat Chlamydia trachomati

The only consistently proven cure for chlamydia is antibiotics. There are a few products and home remedies out there recommended by countless websites for curing chlamydia at home. Unfortunately, the results of these treatments can be inconsistent and never involve the use of actual antibiotics. The only guaranteed method of treating bacterial infections, like chlamydia, is antibiotics.

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Chlamydia Antibiotics: Azithromycin Vs Doxycline

A test was conducted on data between 1975 and 2001 to find and compare the efficacy and differences between Azithromycin and Doxycycline. The patients were randomly given dosages of either Azithromycin or Doxycycline in the prescribed quantities of one 1g dosage of Azithroymycin and two dosages of 100mg twice a day for a week with no patient getting both. The tests were conducted on 1543 patients for checking the microbial efficacy of the drugs and on 1717 patients for checking any adverse effects of the drug. Cure rates of about 98% were found out for both the Chlamydia Antibiotics proving the efficacy of both as equally compelling.

However, azithromycin is more convinent as it is just 1 dose antibiotic. Overall one dosage of Azithromycin has proved to be very impactful in comparison to the multiple dosages of Doxycycline.

Signs & Symptoms

Chlamydia is known to be a silent or asymptomatic disease and about 50% of infected men and 60% of infected women dont show any signs or symptoms initially.

Women are prone to be more asymptomatic than men. This means women generally show no symptoms and act as carriers of the diseases.

However women are at greater risk from long term complications and hence it is important to get treated.

Chlamydia in Women

Chlamydia in Men

Again 25-50% men show little or no symptoms. Symptoms when they show up include painful urination, discharge from the tip of the penis and testicular inflammation and pain.

References:

Parents Have A Role In Chlamydia Prevention

Parents can do two main things to help their kids avoid getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections , says Dombrowski. These two things are:

  • Talk openly. Parents can start by talking with their kids about sex and sexual health early, giving the kids accurate information she says. When having these conversations, dont try to frighten children into practicing abstinence or safe sex. Its pretty common for parents to use STIs to talk about what can happen if you have sex or unprotected sex. But using STIs as a scare tactic is not effective, she says. It just makes the kids feel more frightened, more stigmatized, and terrible if they really do get one.
  • Ensure access to condoms. Parents are often focused on preventing pregnancy, says Dombrowski, which can be achieved with various contraceptives besides condoms. Parents should also think about kids having access to condoms for the prevention of chlamydia and other STIs, she says. Parents can leave condoms lying around where kids will find them, without saying much of anything about the condoms, she suggests.
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    Related Resources For Chlamydia:

    * Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.

    Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

    What Is Antibiotic Resistance And How Does It Develop

    Chlamydia Treatment and Prevention

    Antibiotics have been widely used to fight infections, including sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, for more than 75 years. However, the bacteria that cause STDs have fought back. Over time, they have adapted so that a growing number of antibiotics can no longer treat them.

    Each year, according to the CDC, at least 2 million people in the U.S. pick up these difficult-to-treat infections, which include a growing number of gonorrhea cases that are resistant to antibiotics.

    They develop resistance in two ways, says Jeffrey Klausner, MD, a professor of preventive medicine at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine who has specialized in the research of sexually transmitted diseases.

    âThe organism changes its surface so that the antibiotic no longer recognizes it, or it starts to produce new enzymes that break down the antibiotic,â Klausner says. Gonorrhea, he says, has long been known as a bacteria that learns to evade antibiotics.

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    What Is Sti Prophylaxis

    One approach would be to take a daily dose of the antibiotic this would be considered pre-exposure prophylaxis , meaning that there may be enough of the antibiotic in the body before exposure occurs. Another way would be to take a dose soon after sex. In this case, the antibiotic would work as a form of post-exposure prophylaxis preventing bacterial growth and making it less likely for exposure to lead to infection.

    This factsheet focuses specifically on using antibiotics to prevent bacterial STIs, which is still an experimental technique. It is not to be confused with HIV PrEP and PEP, which are effective forms of preventing HIV, as outlined below.

    No

    Should You Tell Your Sexual Partners If You Have A Sexually Transmitted Disease

    If you have a sexually transmitted disease, you should alert all sexual partners from the last three months to one year, depending on the type of STD you have, so they can also get tested and treated if they need to.

    Most states require that certain STIs are reported to the local or state health department. Public health departments often employ trained disease intervention specialists who can help notify partners and refer people for treatment. This ensures that the spread and growth of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States can be managed and controlled.

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    Can Stds Go Away Without Treatment

    While the symptoms of STDs may subside , most STDs wont go away on their own! And while your immune system can clear some STDs in some cases, its impossible to predict if this will be the case, or if you will develop complications over time. It is so important to seek out testing and treatment if you think you have a sexually transmitted disease to avoid the risk of further health complications.

    Health complications of STDs may include:

    • Pelvic inflammatory disorder
    • Cervical cancer
    • Perinatal or congenital infections in infants born to infected mothers

    As mentioned, viral STDs such as herpes, HIV, HPV and hepatitis cannot be cured but they can be managed.

    Amoxicillin For Std Treatment: Does It Work

    How Can We Fight Antibiotic-Resistant Sexually Transmitted Infections?

    Amoxicillin is one of the first drugs people think of when they learn that they have contracted a sexually transmitted infection or disease. Many common web searches show that people searching for chlamydia treatments or information on how to treat gonorrhea at home are curious about this as a potential treatment.

    At myLAB Box, we understand and appreciate our customers concerns. So we want to address the question: will amoxicillin cure gonorrhea or chlamydia? Lets take a closer look.

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    Growing Antibiotic Resistance Forces Updates To Recommended Treatment For Sexually Transmitted Infections

    WHO releases new treatment guidelines for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis

    Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are all caused by bacteria and are generally curable with antibiotics. However, these STIs often go undiagnosed and are becoming more difficult to treat, with some antibiotics now failing as a result of misuse and overuse. It is estimated that, each year, 131 million people are infected with chlamydia, 78 million with gonorrhoea, and 5.6 million with syphilis.

    Resistance of these STIs to the effect of antibiotics has increased rapidly in recent years and has reduced treatment options. Of the 3 STIs, gonorrhoea has developed the strongest resistance to antibiotics. Strains of multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea that do not respond to any available antibiotics have already been detected. Antibiotic resistance in chlamydia and syphilis, though less common, also exists, making prevention and prompt treatment critical.

    When left undiagnosed and untreated, these STIs can result in serious complications and long-term health problems for women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage, and untreated gonorrhoea and chlamydia can cause infertility in both men and women. Infection with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis can also increase a persons risk of being infected with HIV two- to three-fold. An untreated STI in a pregnant woman increases the chances of stillbirth and newborn death.

    What Should You Do If You Test Positive For Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea

    Testing positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia is a nerve-wracking experience, but its important to stay calm. If you test positive for either STD, seek medical treatment right away. If your symptoms do not improve after taking the prescribed antibiotics, make sure to contact your doctor to discuss other treatment options so you can avoid these serious complications.

    Be sure to get tested again once you have completed the full course of antibiotics. Taking another test will help you confirm that the treatment was successful. If you are still testing positive for either gonorrhea or chlamydia after completing your treatment, contact your doctor to discuss your next steps.

    You will also need to reach out to your sexual partners as soon as possible after testing positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea. Share your test results with your sexual partners and encourage them to get tested right away. This may be an uncomfortable conversation, but you shouldnt put it off. Telling your sexual partners about your test results right away is the only way to stop the spread of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

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    Female Issues Of Unattended Chlamydia

    Some ladies develop PID, an infection that can harm the uterus, cervix, as well as ovaries. PID is an unpleasant disease that usually requires health center treatment.

    Women can likewise become sterile if chlamydia is left neglected since the fallopian tubes may end up being scarred.

    Expectant ladies with the infection can pass the germs to their children throughout birth, which can cause eye infections as well as pneumonia in infants. Will Any Antibiotic Treat Chlamydia

    Diseases Characterized By Urethritis And Cervicitis

    Antibiotics for STDs: Wrong Prescription Can Be Harmful

    100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days

    55.50 2.50 to 19.00

    IM = intramuscularly.

    Reprinted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1998 Guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1998 47:1111.

    *Mucopurulent cervicitis should be treated according to the guidelines for chlamydial and gonococcal infections.

    Estimated cost to the pharmacist based on average wholesale prices in Red book. Montvale, N.J.: Medical Economics Data, 1999. Cost to the patient will be higher, depending on prescription filling fee.

    Several regimens for the management of patients with nongonococcal urethritis are outlined in Table 2. Oral azithromycin is recommended as single-dose therapy.57 Improved compliance and the ability to observe therapy are advantages associated with single-dose regimens.

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