Chlymidia Treatment
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
The most common treatment for chlmydia is a course of antibiotics. Generally taken correctly, it is more than 95% effective. The course of antibiotics may consists of either a single dose, or a longer course of up to 14 days.
If there is a good chance that you have been infected with chlamydia, a treatment course can be started before you receive your test results. You will always be given treatment and care if your partner is found to have chlamydia.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics to treat chlamydia are:
* Azithromycin (normally a single dose)
* Doxycycline (generally two capsules a day for a week)
Other antibiotics that are less commonly prescribed include Ofloxacin, Amoxicillin and Erythromycin.
It is very important that you finish all the capsules/medication prescribed to you. If you do not, the treatment course may not be fully effective at getting rid of the infection.
You can discuss with your doctor which antibiotic is best for you. If you are pregnant, for example, some medication may not be suitable, but alternatives are normally available. Erythromycin, Azithromycin and Amoxicillin and are all suitable for pregnant women..
Medication used to treat chlamydia could interact with the contraceptive patch and the combined contraceptive pill. If you make use of these methods of birth control, you can discuss with your doctor or nurse which additional contraception is suitable for you.
Side effects
The side effects of antibiotics are usually fairly mild, the most common ones include:
* stomach aches or pain,
* diarrhoea, and
* feeling sick or nauseous.
Occasionally, Doxycycline may cause a skin rash if you are exposed to too much sunlight (photosensitivity).
Sexual partners
Chlamydia is very easily passed on through intimate sexual contact. If you are diagnosed with chlymidia, anyone you have recently had sex with in the previous six months may also have it. It is important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners are informed, tested and treated.
Your local sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) may be able to help you by notifying any of your previous partners on your behalf. A contact slip can be sent to them explaining that they could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and suggesting that they go for a check up with their GP. The slip normally notes what the infection is but will not have your name listed on it, so your confidentiality is kept safe.
If you or your current partner is diagnosed with chlamydia, you should not have sexual relations until you have both finished your course of antibiotics.