Treatment for Different Types of STDs

The only person who can determine the appropriate treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a healthcare provider. A prescription medication is typically in order, and what you need depends on the type of infection you have. For example, chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics, while herpes can be managed (though not eliminated) with antiviral medication.

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In some cases, lifestyle changes, home remedies, and over-the-counter options may also be recommended to help ease symptoms, promote healing, or prevent recurrence.

Treatment is individual and may be adjusted for any other issues that affect your overall physical health. Given the potential consequences of untreated STDs, as well as the risk of passing them on to others, early and accurate treatment is imperative.

Bacterial STD Treatment

STDs caused by bacterial infections include syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These diseases are curable when treated with the right antibiotics. The healthcare provider will determine the course of treatment based on local and current rates of antibiotic resistance.

Resistance can be a consequence of people failing to take their antibiotics correctly and, in particular, is a growing problem for gonorrhea infections across the globe. That's why it may sometimes be necessary to be retested for gonorrhea after treatment is complete.

Prescriptions

Antibiotics used to treat bacterial STDs may be administered as a single injection, a course of pills taken over several days, or as a cream applied directly to the infected area.

The antibiotic prescribed typically depends on the bacteria behind the infection. Here are common antibiotics prescribed for different infections:

Chlamydia: Zithromax (azithromycin), Vibramycin/Doryx (doxycycline)
Gonorrhea: Rocephin (ceftriaxone) or, if allergic to it, gentamicin plus Zithromax (azithromycin)
Syphilis: Penicillin G or, if allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics such as Vibramycin/Doryx (doxycycline), Achromycin V/Sumycin (tetracycline), Zithromax (azithromycin), and Rocephin (ceftriaxone)
Chancroid: Zithromax (azithromycin), Rocephin (ceftriaxone), Cipro/Cetraxa (ciprofloxacin)
Bacterial vaginosis: MetroCream/Nuvessa/Flagyl (metronidazole), Clindagel/Clindacin/Cleocin (clindamycin)*

*Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD, but a common bacterial infection that often co-occurs with bacterial STDs. As such, it is helpful to consider its treatment alongside them.

Viral STD Treatments

STDs caused by viruses include herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HIV. These are usually treated with oral antiviral or antiretroviral medications. Most viral STDs can be managed but do not have cures.

Both herpes and HIV are currently life-long infections, but that may change with new research. Hepatitis C was considered incurable until recently. Now, most cases of hepatitis C are finally able to be cured due to new medication developments.

Some viral STDs, such as HPV, aren't treated at all unless they cause symptoms. With HPV, most infections go away on their own within two years. However, symptoms such as genital warts or cervical dysplasia may need treatment.

Prescriptions

There are several medications available by prescription for treatment of viral STDs:

Herpes: Zovirax/Sitavig (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir)
Hepatitis B: Interferon (interferon alpha-2b or pegylated interferon), Hepsera (adefovir), Baraclude (entecavir), Viread (tenofovir), Epivir-HBV (lamivudine)
HPV: Condylox (podofilox), Zyclara/Aldara (imiquimod), Veregen (sinecatechins)
HIV/AIDS: Antiretroviral medications are used to treat HIV and AIDS. The right medication for you will depend on the stage of your disease. Prescriptions used to treat HIV and AIDS include Fuzeon (enfuvirtide, T20), Emtriva (emtricitabine), Viread (tenofovir), Ziagen (abacavir), Edurant (rilpivirine), Intelence (etravirine), Sustiva (efavirenz), Tivicay (dolutegravir), Vitekta (elvitegravir), Aptivus (tipranavir), Kaletra (Lopinavir/ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir), Selzentry/Celsentri (maraviroc), and Trogarzo (ibalizumab).

Over-the-Counter Therapies

While most viral STD treatments are available by prescription only, some over-the-counter remedies are sometimes recommended:

Herpes: The OTC antiviral cream Abreva (docosanol) can help to shorten the duration of an outbreak. In addition, oral pain relievers, like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) and topical pain relievers can make you more comfortable during a herpes flare-up.
HIV/AIDS: Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve headaches and body aches, while topical creams containing capsaicin may ease peripheral neuropathy pain.

If you are taking antiviral medication, you may be at risk of decreased bone density. Ask your healthcare provider if you should supplement with vitamin D and calcium to protect bone health.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle

Following a healthy diet, reducing stress, getting moderate exercise, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can help keep you feeling your best and reduce outbreaks of symptoms from viral STDs.

Home remedies for STDs depend on symptoms and include:

Herpes: Apply a cold compress to the area during an outbreak, do not touch or scratch sores, keep sores clean, and reduce stress to prevent reoccurrences.
Hepatitis B: Take care of your liver by avoiding alcohol and being careful about the use of medications that can harm the liver, such as acetaminophen.
HIV/AIDS: Because HIV can impact your immune system, it is important to stay up-to-date with vaccinations.

Surgical and Medical Procedures

Medical and surgical procedures are sometimes recommended for the treatment of viral STDs. This includes:

HPV: Procedures to remove HPV genital warts include cryotherapy (freezing), electrocautery (burning), injection of interferon into warts, laser treatment, and surgery.
Hepatitis: In some cases, major liver damage can occur from hepatitis infections and a liver transplant may be needed.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

If you have a viral STD, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any herbal medicines or nutritional supplements to ensure doing so is safe given any other medications you may be taking.

There are a few complementary treatments that are being explored for the treatment of certain viral STDs:

Herpes: Propolis, a sticky substance bees produce from tree sap, is found to speed the healing of herpes lesions. Algae extract is being studied as a possible herpes treatment. Some people also find relief of herpes pain from acupuncture.
HIV/AIDS: Medical marijuana may help with pain, reduce nausea, and stimulate your appetite. (Check your state laws regarding medical marijuana.) Yoga and meditation can help ease pain, as well as alleviate feelings of stress and depression that often come with an HIV diagnosis.

Other STD Treatments

STDs that are not viral or bacterial can be caused by fungi, parasites, and infestations, such as scabies. These diseases can be treated either using drugs you take by mouth or through the use of topical agents.

Some of these diseases will also require you to treat your household items. For example, sheets may need to be washed in particular ways or furniture vacuumed to remove parasites.

Prescriptions

Your healthcare provider will likely prescribe medications to treat parasitic infections. These include:

Trichomoniasis: Flagyl (metronidazole) and Tindamax (tinidazole)
Pubic lice: Lindane shampoo or lotion
Scabies: Elimite (permethrin), Soolantra/Sklice/Stromectol (ivermectin), or Eurax (crotamiton), sulfur ointment, and lindane lotion

Over-the-Counter Therapies

Over-the-counter anti-itch creams designed for genital use can ease symptoms of trichomoniasis and scabies, while over-the-counter shampoo containing permethrin can treat pubic lice.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and inflammation associated with scabies.

A Word From Verywell

Getting treated and practicing safe sex as you do is important to protecting your partner(s) from contracting an infection, but also to protecting yourself from possible consequences of STDs.

Do not try to treat yourself for an STD using medication you have purchased over the internet or otherwise obtained without a prescription, or with a medication you were given for a previous diagnosis without your healthcare provider's OK. Take all medications as directed, finishing the course of treatment even after symptoms resolve. Failure to do so could lead to a resistant infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are STDs treated?

It depends on the type of STD a person gets. Bacterial STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chancroid are treated with antibiotics. Some viral STDs like genital herpes and hepatitis B are treated with antivirals, while HIV is treated with antiretrovirals. The parasitic STDs trichomoniasis and pubic lice (”crabs”) are treated with oral antibiotics and topical insecticides, respectively.
Can STDs be cured?

Some can. Bacterial and parasitic STDs are treated with the intent to cure. By contrast, viral STDs are managed rather than cured, either to prevent a recurrence, slow disease progression, or monitor for complications. Viral STDs like genital herpes, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HIV are incurable.
Where can I get treated for an STD?

Bacterial STDs can be treated at a healthcare provider's office or an STD clinic (including free clinics). HIV typically requires the care of an HIV specialist, while hepatitis B is commonly treated by a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. There is no specific treatment for HPV, although you may be referred to a gynecologist, urologist, or dermatologist for health problems that HPV can cause.
How long do I have to abstain from sex after STD treatment?

If you are being treated for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or chancroid, healthcare providers will generally advise you to wait one week after completing treatment before having sex. With syphilis, you should not have sex until a follow-up blood test confirms that the infection has cleared.
Can you treat an STD on your own?

No. The only exception may be crabs, which can sometimes be treated with an over-the-counter insecticidal shampoo like Nix or Rid (although prescription medications may also be needed). Every other STD requires treatment by a healthcare provider.
What happens if I don’t get treated for an STD?

This is never a good idea. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy. Untreated syphilis can lead to vision loss, heart valve damage, aneurysm, and dementia years or decades later. Untreated HIV can progressively destroy the immune system and leave you vulnerable to a host of potentially life-threatening infections.

How to Prevent STDs