Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) typically pass from person to person through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In other cases, genital herpes and warts can spread through skin contact. Here, we explore the different types of treatments for STDs so that you know your options. Regular testing can prevent and help stop the spread of STDs.
Antibiotic Treatment
Doctors use antibiotics to treat curable STDs. Typically, the medication is a single injection, one pill, or a course of pills to be taken over several days. Knowing the local and current rates of antibiotic resistance and the bacteria behind the infection will help your doctor determine what course of treatment is best for you.
If you receive a prescription, you must take all the provided pills to fight the infection effectively; failing to do so can have detrimental effects. If you find yourself with an STD, refrain from sexual activity until you can complete your treatment. STDs that use antibiotics for treatment are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis (infection caused by parasites affecting the urinary tract, vagina, or digestive system).
Antiviral Treatment
Antiviral medications treat STDs with no cure or definitive way to rid your body of the virus. However, oral antiviral medications can manage the symptoms of more severe STDs. Taking these suppressive antiviral medications religiously will cut down on flare-ups and sores and keep the STD symptoms at bay.
As long as you take the medication correctly, you can minimize the infection rate, but there is still a risk that your partner can contract the STD. Some STDs have vaccines available for preventative measures that should be received early in life. STDs that use antiviral medications are genital herpes, AIDS, and hepatitis B (HBV).
While antibiotics and antiviral medications treat most STDs, you might treat infections like genital warts with ointments or surgical removal. Exploring different types of treatments for STDs is essential for understanding the risks that come with being sexually active. And always remember to get tested once a year if you are sexually active or between new sexual partners. At our STD clinic in Raleigh, NC, we offer discreet and easy testing, so it’s a simple matter to be safe.
