StrategiesNEW TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The CDC has recently changed recommendations for gonorrhea treatment to include azithromycin in combination with ceftriaxone. If for some reason this combination can not be used due to allergy of unavailability of ceftriaxone, alternate treatment regiments include 400mg of cefixime and 1g of azithromycin both as a single oral dose, or a single oral dose of 2g of azithromycin (CDC, 2013). CONDOM USAGE & MONOGAMY Consistent, correct condom usage is a good way of disease prevention and spreading. The public should be educated about safe sex and proper condom use starting at a young, yet appropriate age. Condom use is not 100% effective in disease prevention, but it is a good place to start. Long term monogamous relationships between partners not carrying the disease is an effective means of gonorrhea control and prevention. If there is ever any suspicion of disease, one should immediately get tested, and if need be, get treatment. STD CONTROL PROGRAMS & CLINICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES Communities should develop response plans for widespread outbreaks of the disease. Actions should include telling patients telling all of their sexual partners to get checked out, as they will have been exposed to the disease. Early treatment can prevent many of the complications associated with the disease as well as help protect against re-infection. Clinicians should immediately report/document any cases in which the gonorrhea is resistant to a drug, as well as take steps to ensure that the patient receives adequate alternate treatment. Clinicians can also help by counseling adults on safe sex and maintaining mutual monogamous relationships (CDC, 2013). References: |