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Throat anatomy
 
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Pharyngitis, gonococcal

Alternative names:

gonococcal pharyngitis

Treatment:

There are two aspects of treating a sexually transmitted disease, especially one as easily spread as gonorrhea. The first aspect is to cure the affected person. The second is to locate and test all of the other sexual contacts and to treat them to prevent further spread of the disease. That is why mandatory reporting has been instituted and has, until recently, held the number of cases of gonorrhea at a low level. However, the incidence is once again rising.

Beginning about the time of the Viet Nam war the United States saw the appearance of penicillin- and tetracycline-resistant strains of gonorrhea. These resistant strains have been increasing over the last few years. Because of this a new standardized treatment regimen has now been recommended by the Centers for Disease control (CDC). instead of the standard penicillin treatment gonorrhea is now treated by a large number of new and very potent antibiotics.

This treatment regimen includes:
INJECTIONS
Ceftriaxone, 125 mg IM (injected into a muscle)
Spectinomycin, 2 grams IM (injected into a muscle)

ORAL (by mouth) one-time dose
Cefixime, 400 mg
Ciprofloxacin, 500 mg
Ofloxacin, 400 mg
Cefuroxime Axotal, 1 gram
Cefpodoxime proxetil, 200 mg
Enoxacin, 400 mg

ORAL (by mouth) multiple dose
Erythromycin, 500 mg, four times per day, for one week

(Note: mg = milligrams)

A follow-up visit 7 days after treatment to recheck cultures and confirm the cure of infection is important.

Expectations (prognosis):

Gonorrhea can be completely and quickly cured when diagnosed early and treated promptly before complications develop.

Complications:

Both sexes

Male

Female

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have had a known or suspected contact with an infected sexual partner.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of gonococcal pharyngitis.


Adam

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