Gonorrhea

Prevention

Since gonorrhea is an STD that can be transmitted during sexual activity, you can prevent infection by:

• Avoiding sexual activity

• Having sex only with one uninfected person

• Consistently using male latex condoms during sexual activity

To prevent gonococcal ophthalmia in newborns, all pregnant women at risk for gonorrhea should be tested during the first prenatal visit and, if necessary, be treated for gonorrhea. Women at risk for infection during pregnancy should have the test repeated during the third trimester. As another preventive measure, newborns can be routinely treated at birth with eye drops containing a 1% solution of silver nitrate. As an alternative, eye ointments containing erythromycin or tetracycline can be used.

Treatment

Gonorrhea infections can be treated with antibiotics, including cefixime (Suprax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and ofloxacin (Floxin)

Certain strains of gonorrhea bacteria have become resistant to specific antibiotics. If symptoms continue after a full course of treatment, another culture may need to be done and you may have to take another antibiotic. All sex partners of an infected person must be treated as well.