A growing concern among health professionals is the development of strains of gonorrhea and Chlamydia that are resistant to antibiotics and treatment schedules. This new development is encouraging continued research for new treatment regimens for not only these sexually transmitted diseases but all other sexually transmitted infections and diseases. The Center for Disease Control has been updating guidelines recommending dual therapies to treat infections among the sexually active.
Detection of the common STDs is as simple as submitting a urine test to a laboratory or STD testing center. As testing becomes easier, the use of growing cultures as part of the testing process has decreased. The challenge to track the resistant strains of STDs is hampered with fewer cultures available to compare. The CDC is encouraging labs to partnership together to study cultures and keep track of cellular changes that grow resistant to the usually prescribed antibiotic treatment.
Why is the concern growing?
Chlamydia and gonorrhea have been easily cured with a dose of oral antibiotics. With treatments and cures more available, there has been a lessening of the stigmas associated with these sexually transmitted diseases. With strains that are resistant to antibiotics on the rise, one that doesn’t test after the first dosage of antibiotics could still be infected with gonorrhea or Chlamydia and spreading the diseases to others that they are sexually involved with.
Complications Caused by STDs
When the sexually transmitted disease has not been cured, other illnesses can become a problem for the infected. Women especially develop medical conditions that include pelvic inflammation, pregnancy complications and even female infertility. Children born to women with unknown infections can be born with the risk of birth defects and possibly blindness. Continued presence of uncured or untreated infections puts one at risk for other infections, including HIV/AIDS.
The new strains, dubbed “super bugs” account for a small percentage of the infected that test positive for gonorrhea or Chlamydia. Although, these STDs continue to rise in the number of documented cases nationwide, these STDs are still seen as no more than a nuisance to have. The “super bugs” are changing this thinking as the STD testing centers, as well as, the medical community are looking to change the treatment procedures to combat the new strains that are forming. The changes involve expansion of the testing before antibiotics and retesting after the original course of treatment schedule has been met. Cultures are being grown to best decide on the type of antibiotic course to use to eradicate the sexually transmitted diseases and infections. In August 2012, the treatment regime recommended by the CDC is the use of both injectable and oral antibiotic combinations to eliminate the “super bugs”.
To maintain sexual health, follow the treatment plan as prescribed by the physician or testing center. When symptoms persist, seek medical attention for further testing and another course of treatment. The “super bugs” are increasing the need to be diligent in testing and re-testing to be certain the disease has been eradicating from the body. These strains that are resistant to antibiotics are increasing the need to be tested whenever there has been unprotected sex. Seek medical attention for any unusual fevers, sores or discharges associated with gonorrhea or Chlamydia. STD testing is the first step to proper treatment and continued cure of not only gonorrhea and Chlamydia, but all sexually transmitted diseases.