Resistant is Futile

What if you went to your doctor to get treated for an STD, but the drugs didn't work? This isn't a hypothetical question. There are already drug resistant strains of gonorrhea and chancroid. In order to prevent the situation from getting worse it is absolutely essential that, if you are given antibiotics for an infection, you completely finish your pills, even if you start feeling better before they're done. Failing to finish your medication, and completely eradicate the infection, encourages the growth of organisms that are resistant to that drug.

Although right now there are alternative treatment regimens for individuals with drug resistant strains of sexually transmitted diseases, one day that may not be the case. You should:

• Always use antibiotics responsibly, and only as prescribed by your doctor.
• Never take someone else's pills.
• Make certain to completely finish your medication.
• Never pressure your doctor to give you antibiotics if she doesn't think they are appropriate.

Finally, if you think you may have trouble remembering to take your medicine as it is prescribed, talk to your doctor. There may be a single dose alternative that you can take instead. For more on STD treatment click here