The bacterial STDs can be cured by antibiotics. The treatment your doctor recommends depends on:
• which bacteria was causing the infection
• which antibiotics are effective against the bacteria
• whether you are allergic or have had previous bad reactions to any antibiotic
• whether you are pregnant
• where the infection is and how far it has spread.
Many types of gonorrhoea can be treated by penicillin, but some strains (particularly those prevalent in Southeast Asia) have developed resistance to penicillins. Chlamydia is not eradicated by penicillin.
Many STD specialists will advise you to begin treatment as soon as infection is suspected (while waiting for culture and sensitivity results) with a combination of antibiotics that is likely to be effective against both gonorrhoea and chlamydia as well as most other bacteria that cause serious genital tract infections. However, it is important to contact your doctor when the results are available, in case different or additional antibiotics are needed. If gonorrhoea has spread into the blood or if any infection has spread to cause complicated PID, epidymitis or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome, treatment in hospital will usually be advised.
Your doctor should explain why a particular treatment is chosen and the importance of regular dosage and completing the course. If you have any reaction to the antibiotics (this is uncommon), contact your doctor so that alternative treatment can be given if necessary. You’ll be asked to return when you’ve finished the course to make sure that the infection has cleared up and your partner has been properly checked. This check is very important. Partners should always be examined and tested prior to being given any treatment. You’ll be advised not to have sexual intercourse until both you and your partner have finished treatment.
What happens if the infection isn’t treated?
The greatest danger for women is that infection might spread to the tubes, causing PID and scarring that increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy or loss of fertility from blocked tubes. This is particularly risky with chlamydial infections, which can cause tubal damage before any symptoms are noticed. Women with untreated chlamydial infections also risk passing the infection on to their babies during birth.
In men the infection can spread to the epididymis, though this is not nearly as common as PID. If the epididymis on both sides is affected, scarring may lead to infertility.
These infections can have dire consequences for your health, fertility and happiness, so never risk letting one go undetected and untreated. If you have any suspicion that your partner may be infected, see your doctor for a test and ask your partner to do the same. In some areas doctors now advise testing all pregnant women. No matter how unlikely your chance of infection may be, this test is a wise precaution to protect you and your infant.
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