Contracting an STD can be a scary moment of realization. You are not alone. Receiving treatment is important to protecting your health. The most common treatment options for STDs include antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
Treatment Options for STDs
According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment options for sexually transmitted infections typically consist of one of the following:
1. Antibiotics
Done often in a single dose, antibiotics can cure some STIs caused by bacteria or parasites, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. After beginning treatment, be sure to finish the entire prescription.
It’s vital to not engage in sexual activity until at least a week after completing this treatment option. Medical professionals suggest people diagnosed with chlamydia be retested three months after treatment since there’s a high chance of reinfection.
2. Antiviral drugs
You most likely are prescribed antiviral drugs if you contracted herpes or HIV. These antiviral drugs prevent a viral infection from getting worse.
Antiviral medicines keep HIV infection in check for years, but spreading the virus is still possible (even with the lower risk of doing so).
Begin HIV treatment as soon as possible as it’s more effective earlier on. When taking your medicine as directed, the viral load in the blood may lower so that it can’t be found, and at this point, you won’t spread the virus to sex partners.
It’s vital to ask your healthcare professional how long after treatment you need to be retested. This will ensure that the treatment worked and that there is no reinfection.
Get Treated Promptly
Prompt treatment for a sexually transmitted disease is vital to stop the infection and safeguard your health. Don’t wait to get tested or treated, as some infections like gonorrhea can cause permanent damage, possibly leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Our caring team at Life Choices FRC offers no-cost testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Schedule STD/STI testing today. We are here to help you get answers and move forward confidently.