Treating Chlamydia: An Overview
Antibiotics are used in treating
chlamydia and, when used correctly, can cure the infection. A single dose of
azithromycin (
Zithromax®) or a week of
doxycycline (twice a day) are the most common medications prescribed for treating chlamydia.
All sex partners should also receive chlamydia treatment to avoid reinfection. You should not have sex until you and your sex partner(s) have finished being treated for chlamydia.
There are also antibiotics used to cure chlamydia safely during pregnancy.
Treating Chlamydia: Key Points to Remember
Treating chlamydia is easy, but it's important for you to seek testing and treatment right away. By doing so, you are taking good care of your reproductive health. If you have chlamydia:
- Get it treated right away. Visit a clinic, doctor, or nurse. Research suggests that having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) increases your risk of getting infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
- Follow your doctor's orders, and finish all the medicine that you are given. Even if your chlamydia symptoms go away, you still need to finish all of the medicine.
- Avoid having any sexual activity while treating chlamydia.
- Tell your sexual partners so that they can receive treatment for chlamydia, too.
- See your doctor if your symptoms do not disappear within 1 to 2 weeks after finishing the medicine.
- See your doctor within 3 to 4 months for chlamydia testing, especially if your sex partner was not treated or if you have a new sex partner.
Doctors, local health departments, and STD and family planning clinics have information about STDs and can give you a test to find out if you have chlamydia. Don't assume your doctor will automatically test you. You can take care of yourself, however, by asking about this condition and requesting the appropriate testing.
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