Gonorrhoea Treatment

Gonorrhoea treatment usually involves antibiotics prescribed in line with current clinical guidelines. In many cases, this includes an intramuscular ceftriaxone injection.

Additional antibiotics may sometimes be recommended depending on symptoms, co-existing infections (such as chlamydia), previous treatment, or laboratory findings.

Your clinician will advise on the most appropriate treatment approach based on your individual circumstances.

Yes, it's crucial to inform all recent sexual partners if you've been diagnosed with gonorrhoea so they can also get tested and receive treatment if necessary. This helps to prevent the spread of the infection and can also prevent it from being passed back to you.

Gonorrhoea treatment is usually highly effective when appropriate antibiotics are used and treatment guidance is followed correctly.

Because antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is increasing globally, follow-up testing may sometimes be recommended to confirm the infection has cleared.

It is important to avoid sexual contact until you and any partners have completed treatment and any advised abstinence period.

Antibiotics used to treat gonorrhoea can sometimes cause side effects, although many people tolerate treatment well.

Possible side effects may include:

• Pain or soreness at the injection site
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Diarrhoea
• Allergic reactions (rare)

You should discuss any medication allergies or previous antibiotic reactions with your clinician before treatment.

Gonorrhoea treatment during pregnancy is carefully selected to be safe for both the pregnant person and baby.

Recommended antibiotics used for gonorrhoea are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Your clinician will advise on the most appropriate treatment and whether any additional follow-up testing is recommended.

There are no effective home treatments for gonorrhoea. Antibiotics are the only proven method to cure the infection. Using home remedies instead of medical treatment can delay effective treatment and increase the risk of complications.

The symptoms of gonorrhoea usually improve within a few days after starting treatment. However, it's important to complete the entire course of antibiotics to ensure the infection is fully eradicated. If symptoms persist after completing treatment, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Menopause itself doesn't directly influence the effectiveness of gonorrhoea treatment. However, hormonal changes during menopause can affect the body's response to infections and healing processes. It's important to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure the most effective treatment approach.

If you still have symptoms after finishing your gonorrhoea treatment, it's important to contact your healthcare provider. You may need additional testing or treatment if the infection hasn't fully cleared or if there's another issue that needs to be addressed.

Although gonorrhoea treatment is usually successful, treatment failure can occasionally occur, particularly due to antibiotic-resistant strains or reinfection.

If symptoms persist or repeat testing remains positive, further assessment, additional laboratory testing, and alternative antibiotic treatment may be required.

Follow-up testing (often called a test of cure) may be recommended in some situations, including throat gonorrhoea, pregnancy, persistent symptoms, or concerns about antibiotic resistance.

Your clinician will advise whether repeat testing is needed and the most appropriate timing for this.

If you've been diagnosed with gonorrhoea, it's likely that your partner will also need treatment to prevent reinfection and to stop the spread of the infection to others. They should be tested and treated even if they don't have symptoms.