Taking the Incorrect Medication
STI treatment can fail if you’re taking the wrong medication.
One reason this may happen is calledsyndromictreatment.
This can create a problem because not all STIs are sparked by the same infection.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
It could not only be ineffective but also unsafe.
Not all STIs are triggered by the samepathogens(infectious organisms).
Different illnesses require different treatments.
It’s important for your healthcare provider to correctly identify what’s causing your infection.
Failing to finish a course of antibiotics might keep your STI from being cured.
It could also make it harder to treat a future STI because of antibiotic resistance.
They likely will need to get treated, too.
Getting treated will help you avoid passing the STI back and forth to each other.
Remember: Its possible to spread an STI to someone else even if you dont have any symptoms.
If you think youve been exposed, its important to get tested even if you feel fine.
STI-Specific Concerns
Certain STIs come with specific problems that can make them more likely to return.
Its possible to get chlamydia again after youve been treated if you are exposed to it.
In addition, a baby can be infected during childbirth.
Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics.
You also may need to come back after treatment to see if it worked.
Over time, it has become harder to find affordable antibiotics that are consistent and effective when treating gonorrhea.
As a result, people seeking treatment may need to use more expensive antibiotics.
As with other bacterial STIs,syphilis can be treated.
Success also is more likely if you have a healthy immune system.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is brought on by a parasite.
However, it is available for HIV-negative people as well.
People with a penis are generally not testedand therefore less likely to be treatedfor trichomoniasis.
It’s also possible that you may have gotten infected again and need to start another course of treatment.
You wont know for sure until you get tested.
The sooner you’re free to find out for sure and get treated, the better.
you’re free to also go to a clinic like Planned Parenthood to get tested for STIs.
For example, condoms,dental dams, and other barriers are effective ways to prevent bacterial STIs.
you should probably be consistent and use them for all vaginal, anal, andoral intercourse.
STIs are not necessarily transmitted every time you have sex but you should always practice prevention.
Its also key to have open, honest conversations with sexual partners about STIs.
Talk about getting tested and what you each can do to reduce your risk.
Summary
Many STIs, including gonorrhea and syphilis, can be treated with antibiotics.
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