Directions for partners of persons with gonorrhea or gonorrhea and chlamydia

DIRECTIONS FOR PARTNERS OF PERSONS WITH
GONORRHEA OR GONORRHEA AND CHLAMYDIA
PLEASE READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY
Your sex partner has recently been diagnosed with one or more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This means that you may have been exposed to gonorrhea and/or chlamydia. You can get gonorrhea and chlamydia from having any kind of sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal) with a person who already has them. The good news is that they are easily treated. You are being given two different types of medicine. To cure gonorrhea you are receiving cefixime (Suprax). The other is called azithromycin (Zithromax) and it will cure chlamydia. Your partner may have given you these medicines or a prescription that you can take to a pharmacy. These instructions are for how to take cefixime and azithromycin. The best way to take care of these infections is to see your own doctor or healthcare provider right away. If you can’t get to a healthcare provider in the next several days, you should take both the cefixime and the azithromycin. Even if you decide to take the medicine, it is very important that you get tested for other STDs that these medications may not cure. Having an STD can increase your risk of getting HIV if you are exposed to it. SYMPTOMS
Many people with gonorrhea and chlamydia do not have any symptoms to tell them that something is wrong. Many people with these infections feel fine and do not know that they are infected. Symptoms of these infections may include having an unusual discharge (drip) from the penis, vagina, or anus. You may also have pain when you pee or pain during sex. Males who have pain in their testicles or fever should see a doctor right away. Females who have lower belly pain, pain during sex, vomiting or fever, should see a doctor right away. BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE
These medicines are very safe. DO NOT TAKE the medicine(s) if any of the following are true: • You are female and have lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, vomiting, or fever. • You are male and have pain or swelling in the testicles or fever. • You have one or more painful and swollen joints, or a rash all over your body. • You have ever had a bad reaction (rash, breathing problems, or allergic reaction) after taking cefixime (or any other cephalosporin), azithromycin, penicillin, amoxicillin, or other antibiotics. People who are allergic to some antibiotics may be allergic to other types. If you do have allergies to antibiotics, you should check with your doctor before taking this medicine. • You have a serious long-term illness, such as kidney, heart, or liver disease. CAUTION: If you are taking another prescription medication, including medicine for diabetes, consult a pharmacist or your doctor before taking the medication to ask about drug interactions. HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE
• It is best to take these medicines with food. You will be less likely to have an upset stomach and it will increase the amount of medicine that your body absorbs. Drink it down with water. • You need to take all the pills you were given to be cured. • Do NOT take antacids (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox) for one hour before or two hours after taking • Do NOT share or give this medication to anyone else. SIDE EFFECTS
The following are possible side effects and are not serious: If you vomit up the medicine, contact your healthcare provider about retreatment.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Allergic reactions are rare. If you have ever had a bad reaction, rash breathing problems or other allergic reactions with any antibiotics, consult your doctor or a pharmacist before taking this medicine. Possible serious allergic reactions include: • Difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest • Swelling of your lips or tongue • Hives (bumps or welts on your skin that itch a lot) If you experience an allergic reaction, call 911.
NEXT STEPS
• It is very important that you not have sex for 7 days! It takes seven days for the medicine to cure gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you have sex during those first 7 days, you can still pass the infection on to your partners or be re-infected by your partner. • Everyone else who you have had sex with in the last 60 days should be informed so that they can • People who are infected with gonorrhea and chlamydia once are at high risk for getting it again. It is a good idea to get tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STDs in three months to make sure that you did not get another infection. • Talk to your partner(s) about what you can do to keep from getting STDs and staying healthy. You are protecting your own health for the future. PREVENTION
Condoms used correctly and consistently will prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and most other STDs. Use a new condom every time you have sex. Limiting the number of people you have sex with will decrease your chances of getting an STD.

Source: http://epi.hss.state.ak.us/hivstd/ept/EPT_MedicationPartnerGonorrhea.pdf