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How Effective Is STD Treatment Post Possible Exposure?
Question: I had unprotected sex last night and this morning with a person whose STD status I do not know. I had been tested about a month ago, and was STD free. However, I am concerned this incident might have exposed to some STD. I am thinking about waiting for 2 days and getting tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. I will ask the doctor at the time of testing to prescribe me medication for those two STDs in case I have contracted them. I want to start treatment on possible STDs as soon as possible. My question is, in the case that the STD (Chlamydia or Gonorrhea) has not yet passed the incubation period, will the treatment (if prescribed at the time of testing), cure the infection?
Brief Answer:
if rightly taken, medicine will cure STDs
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the two most common STDs now and they can be associated together, hence they are treated together also. You can get tested for these.
After you get the results, if the results are positive, single or multiple dose of antibiotic might be taken which cures the disease. Provided you do not undergo any more unprotected sex during the course or till it gets cured.
As for the incubation period, gonorrhea has one which starts in 1-2 days of exposure and chlamydia starts in 5-7 days of exposure. But mostly chlamydia has no symptoms and gonorrhea can also be present sometimes without symptoms. So it wont matter much. Proper testing and treatment is important.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
if rightly taken, medicine will cure STDs
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the two most common STDs now and they can be associated together, hence they are treated together also. You can get tested for these.
After you get the results, if the results are positive, single or multiple dose of antibiotic might be taken which cures the disease. Provided you do not undergo any more unprotected sex during the course or till it gets cured.
As for the incubation period, gonorrhea has one which starts in 1-2 days of exposure and chlamydia starts in 5-7 days of exposure. But mostly chlamydia has no symptoms and gonorrhea can also be present sometimes without symptoms. So it wont matter much. Proper testing and treatment is important.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dr. Dattagupta,
Thank you for your response. I would like to do the following:
Test for STDs 2 days after unprotected sex
Start treatment on same day as test (2 days after unprotected sex)
I do not want to wait for results; I would like to start treatment in case I have contracted the STDs.
I understand that if I have contracted Gonorrhea it is more likely to get treated effectively. I am concerned about Chlamydia- since I want to start treatment even before the incubation period, will it still clear the Chlamydia infection?
Thank you!
Thank you for your response. I would like to do the following:
Test for STDs 2 days after unprotected sex
Start treatment on same day as test (2 days after unprotected sex)
I do not want to wait for results; I would like to start treatment in case I have contracted the STDs.
I understand that if I have contracted Gonorrhea it is more likely to get treated effectively. I am concerned about Chlamydia- since I want to start treatment even before the incubation period, will it still clear the Chlamydia infection?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
you can start treatment according to test results
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Dont be worried so much.
You can start treatment according to test results.
Antibiotics are quite effective against both gonorrhea and chlamydia and both are totally curable.
However, if you want to start prophylactic treatment for these, you will still need a doctors prescription. Doctors would like to look for test results.
Anyways, the treatment should be effective even if you start it early, before the incubation period.
Hope this helps.
you can start treatment according to test results
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Dont be worried so much.
You can start treatment according to test results.
Antibiotics are quite effective against both gonorrhea and chlamydia and both are totally curable.
However, if you want to start prophylactic treatment for these, you will still need a doctors prescription. Doctors would like to look for test results.
Anyways, the treatment should be effective even if you start it early, before the incubation period.
Hope this helps.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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