How is Gonorrhea Treated?

Question: How is Gonorrhea Treated?

Answer:

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Because patients with gonorrhea frequently also have chlamydia, they are often treated presumptively for both diseases just on the basis of a single diagnosis (for more on chlamydia treatment click here.)

In recent years, drug resistant gonorrhea has become more problematic, both in the United States and worldwide. As of April 12, 2007, the CDC has removed numerous drugs from their treatment recommendations because they are no longer considered to be effective. Right now there is only one class of drugs considered to be effective in the treatment of gonorrhea. It is thus essential that if you are prescribed antibiotics you take them as written, and finish your prescription even if you feel better. This reduces the risk of your infection developing resistance. If the last class of drugs loses its effectiveness, it is possible that gonorrhea could become an incurable disease.

Treatment for gonorrhea differs depending on whether gonorrhea is present in the genitals or in the throat. Throat infections with gonorrhea are more difficult to treat and may require more extensive treatment. Infections that have spread beyond the primary site of infection causing, for example, pelvic inflammatory disease or epididymitis, may also require more intense treatment.

When you are being treated for gonorrhea it is important that your sexual partners are treated as well. If they are not, you could end up passing the infection back and forth between you. You should also abstain from sex until your symptoms clear up, and for at least 7 days after the start of treatment, in order not to infect your sexual partners. If abstaining is not possible, make certain to use condoms for all sexual encounters – including oral sex.

Because people who are infected with gonorrhea once are likely to become infected again, many doctors recommend that patients with a gonorrhea diagnosis return 3 months later for a check up. This is not because treatment is ineffective, but to make certain that you have not been re-infected by your partners.

The drug regimens below are taken from the the Centers for Disease Control 2006 STD treatment guidelines. Remember that only your doctor can say which treatment is right for you.

Recommended Regimens for Non-Pregnant Adults With Genital Infections

Ceftriaxone 125 mg injected into the muscle in a single dose
OR
Cefixime 400 mg orally in a single dose

Alternative Regimens for Non-Pregnant Adults With Genital Infections

Spectinomycin 2 g injected into the muscle in a single dose
OR
Single-dose cephalosporin regimens

Recommended Regimens for Non-Pregnant Adults With Throat Infections

Ceftriaxone 125 mg IM in a single dose



Note: Pregnant women with gonorrhea should not be treated with tetracyclines. They should be treated with cephalosporins, or, if they are allergic, with a single 2-g injection of spectinomycin. For more about gonorrhea during pregnancy click here.