Chlamydia Treatment Recommendations by WHO

Chlamydia is a curable bacterial disease. It is transmitted through sexual activity and is one of the commonest STDs around. You need not worry, if you are exposed to this bacterium. A simple course of antibiotics can cure this infection. However, you need to be proactive towards your sexual health to get timely treatment. Undergo a test at regular intervals to make sure you are fine, especially if you are sexually active with more than one partner.

Even people in monogamous relationship must undergo STD test once in their lifetime. You are monogamous now, but you or your partner might not be monogamous earlier. It is best to test before tying the knot. However, not everybody does that. So if your STD testing is pending, please do it now.

Testing and treating STDs

Chlamydia treatment is available at the nearest urgent care clinic. They offer test and treatment on the same day. Often, doctors suggest testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, as both infections show similar symptoms and are common.

Gonorrhea is also a bacterial disease, which can be cured completely through antibiotics.

Treatment recommendations as per WHO guidelines

The following recommendation is for uncomplicated case of genital chlamydia in adults and adolescents from 10 to 19 years of age, men who have sex with men, HIV+ patients, sex workers, and transgenders:

• Azithromycin taken orally in a single dose of 1 gram

OR

• Doxycycline taken orally twice a day in a dose of 100mg for 7 days

The alternative treatment is as follows (any one of the below recommendations):

• Erythromycin taken orally twice a day in a dose of 500mg for 7 days
• Tetracycline taken orally four times a day in a dose of 500 mg for 7 days
• Ofloxacin taken orally twice a day in a dose of 200-400 mg for 7 days

(Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine)

Important things to know

According to doctors, chlamydia treatment with antibiotics is an effective way to stop the infection. However, it will not repair the damage done to the organs by the bacteria. That’s the reason it is important to undergo a test on time and start treatment as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection.

If your symptoms continue even after taking the treatment, you must consult the doctor for a re-evaluation.

Please refrain from having sex during treatment and until you are completely cured.

Re-infection

Chlamydia re-infection is common. This mostly happens when your partner is not treated. Doctors recommend chlamydia test for both the partners. If your partner also comes out positive in test results, then he or she must take the treatment too.

Re-test

Doctors recommend a re-test after three months of successful treatment. This applies even when your partner underwent a test and/or treatment.

The same holds true for gonorrhea treatment. Testing and treatment for both diseases are available at the nearest urgent care clinic.

Remember, both the STDs are curable. So you need not worry; just make sure you and your partner undergo timely test and treatment.