 
                            If I Take The Medication Azithromycin/ Zithromax For A STD
 
 
                                    
                                    
                                          
                                               Posted on
                                          
                                            
                                         
                                           Wed, 20 Mar 2019
                                           
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                            Medically reviewed by
                                            
                                                  Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
                                            
                                        
                                        
                                             Wed, 20 Mar 2019
                                                
                                            
                                                Answered on
                                                
                                                Wed, 20 Mar 2019
                                                
                                            
                                                Answered on
                                             
                                             Last reviewed on
                                                
                                                
                                                Last reviewed on
                                             
                                            
                                    Brief Answer:
Depends on the infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello Claude,
Can you please tell me what infection do you have? Because there are different durations and cure rates depending on what you are dealing with.
 
I'll write more specifically after I hear back from you.
Regards
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                            Depends on the infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello Claude,
Can you please tell me what infection do you have? Because there are different durations and cure rates depending on what you are dealing with.
I'll write more specifically after I hear back from you.
Regards
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr.   Arnab Banerjee
                                  
                              
                                          
 
                                    
                                    
                                 
  
 
                                    The infection is Syphillis...
                                
                            
                                    Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok, thanks. I'll assume that you are dealing with primary, early Syphilis. If not, please let me know, as information and guidelines are different for other stages.
Guidelines are to not have sex for 7 days after the antibiotic treatment is over. Also, if you are still having any symptoms of Syphilis after the treatment is over, then refrain from having sexual relations and go back to see your doctor.
Azithromycin works for a longer period of time than other antibiotics. That is why we will give a "Z pack" of days worth of azithromycin to provide 10 days of antibiotic coverage. So consider adding the extra 7 days on to that prior to resuming sex.
I will assume that you have an allergy to penicillins and Cephalosporins because Azithromycin should really only be used as an alternative to that if you have an allergy. There are some concerns regarding growing bacterial resistance to Azithromycin, and in some areas of the US, that resistance rate is as high as 80 percent. So, do watch for continuing or returning symptoms.
People who have early syphilis and who are taking a nonpenicillin antibiotic for treatment, as you are, should be seen at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and monitored with a repeat RPR or VDRL test.
You asked about when you can be considered cured. If you remain symptom-free and there is a 4 fold decrease in the VDRL titer from the initial test, at 1 year, then this is a sign of a cure.
I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                            Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok, thanks. I'll assume that you are dealing with primary, early Syphilis. If not, please let me know, as information and guidelines are different for other stages.
Guidelines are to not have sex for 7 days after the antibiotic treatment is over. Also, if you are still having any symptoms of Syphilis after the treatment is over, then refrain from having sexual relations and go back to see your doctor.
Azithromycin works for a longer period of time than other antibiotics. That is why we will give a "Z pack" of days worth of azithromycin to provide 10 days of antibiotic coverage. So consider adding the extra 7 days on to that prior to resuming sex.
I will assume that you have an allergy to penicillins and Cephalosporins because Azithromycin should really only be used as an alternative to that if you have an allergy. There are some concerns regarding growing bacterial resistance to Azithromycin, and in some areas of the US, that resistance rate is as high as 80 percent. So, do watch for continuing or returning symptoms.
People who have early syphilis and who are taking a nonpenicillin antibiotic for treatment, as you are, should be seen at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and monitored with a repeat RPR or VDRL test.
You asked about when you can be considered cured. If you remain symptom-free and there is a 4 fold decrease in the VDRL titer from the initial test, at 1 year, then this is a sign of a cure.
I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr.   Arnab Banerjee
                                  
                              
                                          
 
                                    
                                    
                                 
 Answered by
 
                                                    Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
 
                         Sign in with Google
 Sign in with Google 
  
                                 
                                