Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
No treatment eliminates HPV from the body. However, HPV lesions can be treated with creams directly on warts or with surgery.
Medications that can be applied directly to the skin include:
- Imiquimod.
- Podophyllin and podofilox.
- Trichloroacetic acid.
- Synecatechins.
If warts do not respond to medical treatment, then surgery is performed:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen/ (cryotherapy).
- Electrocautery.
- Surgical excision.
- Laser treatments.
Chlamydia
Bacteria produce chlamydia; therefore, its treatment is antibiotic. There are several alternatives:
- Doxycycline: 100mg every 12 hours for 7 days. Treatment of choice.
- Azithromycin: a single dose of 1g.
- Erythromycin: 500mg every 6 hours for seven days.
Gonorrhea
With this bacterial STD, alternatives are depending on the case. For uncomplicated infections, it is recommended:
- Single-dose of Ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscularly, plus Azithromycin 1gr orally. Treatment of choice.
- Another alternative is a single dose of Cefixime 400 mg orally, plus Azithromycin 1 g orally.
*In case of allergy to azithromycin, Doxycycline replaces this 100mg for seven days.
In patients with allergy to cephalosporins, the following treatment options are presented:
- Single-dose of Gemifloxacin 320mg orally, plus Azithromycin 2g orally.
- Single-dose of Gentamicin 240 mg intramuscularly, plus Azithromycin 2 g orally.
Syphilis
Bacteria cause syphilis, and the infection occurs in stages. Its treatment depends on each stage.
Syphilis in primary, secondary, and early latent stages is showed:
- Penicillin G Benzathine, 2.4 million units, intramuscular route (divide the dose and administer half in each buttock).
With penicillin allergy, two treatment options are presented:
- Tetracycline 500mg r orally, every 6 hours, for two weeks.
- Doxycycline 100mg orally, every 12 hours, for two weeks.
Late latent stage syphilis. The study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered:
- Normal CSF: Penicillin G Benzathine 2.4 million units intramuscularly, one time a week, for three weeks.
- Pathological CSF: treatment of tertiary stage or neurosyphilis.
With penicillin allergy, two treatment options are presented:
- Normal CSF: Tetracycline 500mg orally, every 6 hours, for four weeks. Or Doxycycline 100mg orally, every 12 hours, for four weeks.
- Pathological CSF: treatment of tertiary stage or neurosyphilis.
Late latent stage syphilis. The study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered:
- Penicillin G Aqueous 18-24 million units per day, intravenously (administer 3 to 4 million units every 4 hours), for 10 to 14 days.
- Penicillin G Procaine 2.4 million units per day intramuscularly, combined with Probenecid 500mg, every 6 hours, for 10 to 14 days.
Trichomonas
This STD is produced by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. To treat it, the following is shown:
- Metronidazole: 2gr orally, a single dose. Treatment of choice.
- Tinidazole: 4 tablets of 500mg orally, a single dose.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Like HPV, HSV has no cure. However, treatments are available to treat the lesions and control the infection.
- Acyclovir: 400mg orally every 8 hours for 7 to 10 days. Treatment of choice.
- Valacyclovir: 1000mg orally for 7 to 10 days.
- Famciclovir: 250g orally every 8 hours, for 7 to 10 days.
*In case of recurrent herpes, treatment is given for five days.
Mostly, STD’s can be treated and cured in time. The sooner treatment is started, the better the prognosis will be.
