Gonorrhea Treatment Online

Gonorrhea Treatment - Overview

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae - also known as gonococcus. Common in both women and men, gonorrhea is an infection that can cause a variety of symptoms and is usually treatable with antibiotics. People who think they might have a gonorrhea infection can use Push Health to connect with a medical provider who can prescribe medications for gonorrhea treatment when appropriate to do so.

What Is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is very common in the United States, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, particularly teens and younger adults, annually. Unprotected sexual contact is the most frequent risk factor associated with a gonorrhea infection. While some cases of gonorrhea infections cause no symptoms at all, other cases of gonorrhea can lead to symptoms of pain, discharge, sore throat, fatigue and conjunctivitis. Gonorrhea can be spread by oral, vaginal or anal sex. Gonorrhea is generally detected using special swab tests or urine tests for gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is sometimes known informally as the clap.

Gonorrhea - Treatment

Gonorrhea, like its counterpart chlamydia, can usually be treated with commonly prescribed medications that are available at most pharmacies. Many types of medical providers feel comfortable treating people with gonorrhea. Additionally, recent sexual partners should also be informed that they may have had contact with someone infected with gonorrhea and they should be tested and treated when appropriate. Early treatment for a gonorrhea infection can reduce the likelihood of complications that may occur from an untreated infection.

Gonorrhea Medications

In uncomplicated gonorrhea infections, oral antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. Gonorrhea treatment regimens usually include medication regimens that are two weeks or less, depending on the judgement of the prescribing medical provider. Examples of oral medications that might be used for outpatient gonorrhea treatment include the following:

• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Cefixime (Suprax)
• Ceftriaxone
• Doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin)

It is important to note that gonorrhea symptoms may take weeks to resolve following treatment and retesting after a period of time is generally recommended.

Gonorrhea Medications - Side Effects

The medications used for gonorrhea treatment can cause side effects in some people, including nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fatigue. Most healthy people will find the side effects that result from gonorrhea medication treatment to be mild. Prior to using medications for gonorrhea treatment, it is important to discuss possible side effects with a qualified medical practitioner.

More Gonorrhea Information

• CDC - Gonorrhea Treatment
• Mayo Clinic - Gonorrhea