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If I Take The Medication Azithromycin/ Zithromax For A STD

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Posted on Sat, 6 Apr 2019
Question: If I take the medication Azithromycin/Zithromax for a STD treatment, approximately how many days will it take before the infection is completely cured
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Depends on the infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello Claude,

Can you please tell me what infection do you have? Because there are different durations and cure rates depending on what you are dealing with.

I'll write more specifically after I hear back from you.

Regards



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (53 minutes later)
The infection is Syphillis...
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Ok, thanks. I'll assume that you are dealing with primary, early Syphilis. If not, please let me know, as information and guidelines are different for other stages.

Guidelines are to not have sex for 7 days after the antibiotic treatment is over. Also, if you are still having any symptoms of Syphilis after the treatment is over, then refrain from having sexual relations and go back to see your doctor.

Azithromycin works for a longer period of time than other antibiotics. That is why we will give a "Z pack" of days worth of azithromycin to provide 10 days of antibiotic coverage. So consider adding the extra 7 days on to that prior to resuming sex.

I will assume that you have an allergy to penicillins and Cephalosporins because Azithromycin should really only be used as an alternative to that if you have an allergy. There are some concerns regarding growing bacterial resistance to Azithromycin, and in some areas of the US, that resistance rate is as high as 80 percent. So, do watch for continuing or returning symptoms.

People who have early syphilis and who are taking a nonpenicillin antibiotic for treatment, as you are, should be seen at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and monitored with a repeat RPR or VDRL test.

You asked about when you can be considered cured. If you remain symptom-free and there is a 4 fold decrease in the VDRL titer from the initial test, at 1 year, then this is a sign of a cure.

I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.


Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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If I Take The Medication Azithromycin/ Zithromax For A STD

Brief Answer: Depends on the infection Detailed Answer: Hello Claude, Can you please tell me what infection do you have? Because there are different durations and cure rates depending on what you are dealing with. I'll write more specifically after I hear back from you. Regards