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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Antibiotics can cure many sexually transmitted bacterial and parasitic infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomonas. A single antibiotic dose, given orally or injected, is generally all you need to stop gonorrhea when it's limited to the urethra and cervix. Typically, you'll be treated for chlamydia at the same time because the two infections often appear together. Chlamydia treatment consists of a seven-day course of an oral antibiotic.

Once you start antibiotic treatment, it's crucial to follow through. If you don't think you'll be able to take medication as prescribed, be sure to tell your doctor. A shorter, simpler treatment regimen may be available.

Sexually transmitted viral infections are not curable, but two such infections — human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B — are preventable with vaccines prior to exposure. You'll have fewer herpes recurrences if you take daily suppressive therapy with a prescription antiviral drug, but you can still give your partner herpes at any time.

Treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy and other antiviral drugs can keep HIV infection in check for many years, although the virus persists and can still be transmitted. The sooner you start treatment, the more effective it is. If you take anti-HIV medication for 28 days, starting as soon as you know you've been exposed, you may avoid becoming HIV-positive.

Coping and support Tests and diagnosis
References
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Feb. 25, 2009

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