Symptoms
A test-of-cure is needed 7-14 days after treatment for people who are treated for a throat infection. Because re-infection is common, men and women with gonorrhea should be retested three months after treatment of the initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.
Causes
Retesting 3 months after diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis can detect repeat infection and potentially can be used to enhance population-based prevention ( 136, 137 ).
Prevention
What to do if gonorrhea symptoms persist even after treatment. Re-infection is not uncommon with gonorrhea and our doctors recommend retesting after 3 months to make sure the infection has cleared. Seek medical attention to avoid complications due to gonorrhea.
Complications
Because re-infections are common, you should wait until you and your partner (s) have completed gonorrhea treatment before having sex again. Do not have sex with anybody during your treatment.
When do you need a test of cure for gonorrhea?
When to retest for chlamydia and gonorrhea?
What to do if gonorrhea symptoms persist even after treatment?
When can I have sex after Gonorrhea treatment?
Can you retest for gonorrhea 2 weeks after treatment?
A test-of-cure, however, is performed three to four weeks after treatment and is only done under the following circumstances: If concern exists regarding persistence of infection despite treatment. If symptoms of infection persist. If lack of adherence to the treatment regimen is suspected.
Should I get retested for gonorrhea?
It's common to get infected with gonorrhea and chlamydia again. Even if you and your partner took medicine, you should be retested in 3 months.
How do I know if my gonorrhea is gone?
Discharge or pain when you urinate should improve within 2-3 days. Discharge and discomfort in the rectum should improve within 2-3 days. Bleeding between periods or heavier periods that have been caused by gonorrhea should have improved by your next period.
Can I get tested for gonorrhea a week after treatment?
Gonorrhea. A doctor can test for gonorrhea with a urine sample. In some cases, they may also swab the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix to get a more reliable result. Most tests can detect the infection within 5 days to 2 weeks of exposure.
How long does it take for gonorrhea to be retested?
Because reinfection within 12 months ranges from 7% to 12% among persons previously treated for gonorrhea ( 29, 30 ), persons who have been treated for gonorrhea should be retested 3 months after treatment regardless of whether they believe their sex partners were treated.
Does ceftriaxone help with gonorrhea?
Emerging antimicrobial resistance affects gonorrhea treatment recommendations and other STIs. CDC recommends ceftriaxone monotherapy for treatment because N. gonorrhoeae remains highly susceptible to ceftriaxone, azithromycin resistance is increasing, and prudent use of antimicrobial agents supports limiting their use.
How to talk to your partner about STD?
During and after your talk, your partner may also have many strong emotions. The most helpful thing you can do is listen to your partner ’s concerns and fears and offer information about the STD and its symptoms and treatment.
Why is it important to tell your partner about STDs?
It may be emotionally uncomfortable, but telling your partners about STDs allows them to protect their health, too. Being diagnosed with an STD can cause many strong emotions. You may begin to question your trust in your partner or be worried that they will question their trust in you.
Can gonorrhea cause ectopic pregnancy?
Left untreated, ch lamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious health problems like PID, infertility, and potential deadly ectopic pregnancy. Also, without treatment, your partner might pass the STD back to you.
How to prevent gonorrhea?
When you resume sexual activity, correctly and consistently using protection can help reduce your chances of getting gonorrhea again. Use dental dams and latex condoms each time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
How long does it take to get tested for gonorrhea?
Our FDA-cleared NAA (nucleic acid amplification) gonorrhea test is a urine test that can be taken as soon as 2-6 days after exposure.
Why is gonorrhea important during pregnancy?
It’s important to treat gonorrhea during pregnancy due to the high risk it poses to the fetus. If a baby contracts gonorrhea while passing through the birth canal, the baby can suffer blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection. 4.
What are the risks of gonorrhea?
Getting regularly tested for gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases is important for monitoring and protecting your health. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to health issues like: 1 Infertility 2 Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) 3 Epididymitis 4 Disseminated gonococcal infection 5 Increased risk of getting other STDs, like HIV, if exposed
What is the best treatment for gonorrhea?
Antibiotics often used to cure gonorrhea include azithromycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone or cefixime.
How long does it take to get rid of a syphilis infection?
Do not have sex with anybody during your treatment. After one week of properly taking antibiotics, you should be cured and cleared of the disease, but your sexual partner (s) need to also complete treatment in order to avoid you passing the infection back and forth.
Can gonorrhea cause infertility?
Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STD. While it’s easily curable, it can cause infertility if left untreated. Getting regularly tested is the only way to know if you have gonorrhea. The thought of getting tested can be very stressful, but don’t worry. Testing is generally fast and painless, and gonorrhea is completely curable.
Medicines
Antibiotics help treat the infection caused by bacteria. Both you and your sex partner need treatment to prevent gonorrhea from spreading.
Prevent the spread of gonorrhea and other STIs
Ask your healthcare provider for more information about the following safe sex practices:
Follow up with your doctor as directed
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Timing and Accuracy of Different Gonorrhea Tests
This table summarizes the information on timing (i.e., how soon the test can be done) and accuracy of gonorrhea tests of different anatomic areas for asymptomatic people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here Dr. Slava Fuzayloff (a.k.a. Dr. F) answers real patients’ questions, grouped by topic. Dr. F has been an STD doctor in New York City for more than two decades.
