Each and every type of STD requires a different treatment. If you or your partner have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, you may have many questions about the STD treatment for this specific disease. Here are a few of the questions you may have about gonorrhea treatment and the answers. 

How is Gonorrhea Treated? 

Gonorrhea is treated with a course of antibiotics. The specific antibiotics that are used will vary. Different types of bacteria are responsible for different strains of gonorrhea. Doctors may culture samples of the bacteria to determine what strain you have and how to best treat it, or they may have a rough idea as to what strains are going around the area you reside in and may prescribe antibiotics based on that. Typically both a shot of antibiotics and oral antibiotics are given to treat the infection. 

Do Both Partners Need to Be Treated?

It typically takes one to 14 days for gonorrhea symptoms to begin to present themselves after someone is infected. As such, your partner may also be infected with the bacteria and may not have yet developed symptoms. Because of this, it is important that if one partner has gonorrhea, the other partner begins treatment simultaneously, even if symptoms are not yet present. 

Can You Have Unprotected Sex While Being Treated?

One of the biggest myths is that you can begin to have unprotected sex as soon as you receive an antibiotic shot or take your first oral antibiotic pill. However, the antibiotics take time to kill the bacteria. As such, you should not continue to have unprotected sex while you are being treated for gonorrhea. 

When Can You Begin to Have Unprotected Sex Again?

Unfortunately, there are many strains of gonorrhea that have evolved and have become resistant to antibiotics. Because of this, it may take multiple courses of antibiotics or different types of antibiotics to treat your gonorrhea infection. It is always recommended that you follow up with a doctor after completing your treatment to be tested for any remaining bacteria, even if your symptoms have gone away. Until a swab test reveals that there are no active gonorrhea bacteria present in both you and your partner, you should avoid having unprotected sex. 

Gonorrhea is an STD that is diagnosed by a healthcare professional. After being diagnosed, you and your partner should both begin a treatment course of antibiotics. Continue to follow up with your doctor until both you and your partner are clear of the bacteria that causes this STD or you can continue to pass it back and forth. If you have any other question about this STD or any other STDs, be sure to ask your doctor.