Chlamydia Channel
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Chlamydia Treatment
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for chlamydia, which generally cure the infection. Treatment for the disease is simple, but it is vital that a person seeks testing and treatment as soon as possible. It's also important to avoid sexual activity during this time and to inform your sex partners that you have chlamydia so that they can begin treatment as well.
Treatment for chlamydia involves antibiotics, either a single dose of azithromycin (Zithromax®) or a week of doxycycline (twice daily). Or, you might get a prescription for another antibiotic, such as erythromycin or ofloxacin.
Treatment with antibiotics generally cures the chlamydial infection. HIV-positive people with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.
Healthcare providers may treat pregnant women with azithromycin or erythromycin or, sometimes, with amoxicillin. Penicillin, which healthcare providers often use to treat other sexually transmitted disease (STDs), won't cure chlamydial infections.
If you have chlamydia, you should:
- Take all your medicine for the amount of time prescribed, even if symptoms have disappeared
- Go to your healthcare provider again if your chlamydia symptoms do not disappear within one to two weeks after finishing the medicine
- Tell your sex partners that you have the disease so that they can be tested and treated, if necessary
- Not have sexual intercourse until your treatment is completed and successful.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD