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There are several treatments available for STDs. While most STDs that are caused by bacteria and other pathogens are curable, some are much more difficult to treat than others due to antibiotic-resistant strains. STDs caused by viruses are generally incurable and the person has to live with the disease for the rest of their life. However, there are treatments available that can suppress the symptoms enough to allow a relatively healthy lifestyle for patients with such diseases.
MEDICATIONS TO TREAT STDs
STDs can be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs depending on the causative pathogen. There are also vaccines available that provide immunity to some STDs. In addition, several prophylaxis regimens exist that can help protect you from acquiring the disease in the first place.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of an STD, or if you have reason to believe that you were exposed to one, contact your doctor immediately. Early detection and prompt treatment can increase your chances of successful treatment. Additionally, always use safe sex practices to minimize your risk of acquiring an STD by minimizing exposure.
ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics are extremely effective against STDs caused by bacteria and even parasites. Gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are all examples of STDs that are usually cured by antibiotics. Generally, antibiotics often cure the infection they are effective against in a dosage varies.
Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics according to international guidelines. Following the given prescription according to the schedule is extremely important for the elimination of the disease. If you have trouble following the schedule of a treatment regime, your doctor may advise a simpler alternative schedule for you to follow.
It is important to abstain from sexual intercourse at least seven days after you’ve completed your antibiotic course. This interval ensures complete eradication of the infection before it can be passed to another person through sex. Retesting is also an important factor to consider after the completion of your treatment. Retesting informs your doctor of your health status as well as the efficacy of the treatment employed.
ANTIVIRALS
STDs caused by viruses are harder to treat. They are also hard to completely cure as most viruses continue to live inside the host forever once an infection has taken place. However, there are several treatment options available to minimize the symptoms of the infection. Minimizing the symptoms ensures a relatively healthy state for the patient who has viral STDs.
HIV, HPV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are some of the examples of STDs caused by viruses. All of these are incurable but there are effective treatment regimes available against them. Antiviral therapy is available against Hepatitis B and Herpes. This treatment is very effective in lowering the viral load in a patient and allowing daily activities to continue. Antiretroviral therapy works well against HIV. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe creams, or even minor surgeries, to counter genital warts and sores, cold sores, and other such complications caused by these diseases.
VACCINES & PROPHYLAXIS MEDICATION
Vaccination against a disease prevents the disease process from ever initiating in a person. HPV, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B have an effective vaccine that works well to protect from these conditions. There is no vaccine for other STDs, such as those caused by bacteria and parasites, at the moment.
Prophylaxis medication helps prevent the onset of infection after a possible exposure. PrEP, or Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, for HIV is a medication regime that prevents infection when taken daily before a possible exposure to HIV. Similarly, nPEP – or Post Exposure Prophylaxis – is another medication regime that prevents HIV infection after a possible exposure to the virus if initiated within 3 days of HIV exposure.
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