Gonococcemia (Disseminated)
Alternative names:
gonococcal bacteremia
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.
These treatment regimens include:
INJECTION into a muscle (IM) one-time:
Ceftriaxone 125 milligrams (mg)
Spectinomycin 2 grams
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
A follow-up visit 7 days after treatment to recheck cultures and confirm the cure of infection is important.
Expectations (prognosis):
The outcome is expected to be good when compliance with therapy is maintained.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of disseminated gonococcemia.
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