It can be difficult to determine if you have chlamydia or gonorrhea by symptoms alone.
To get effective treatment, STIs must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between these infections, risk factors, and prevention.
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The samples used to test for a gonorrhea infection are essentially the same.
For both infections, you may have the option to collect samples yourself.
Researchers have found that self-collection of samples provides accurate results.
At-Home Testing
You may wish to use arapid at-home testto get results.
Some of the long-term impacts of the two infections are similar.
If symptoms are experienced, they may be slightly different depending on the throw in of infection.
Symptoms of chlamydiamay include:
Symptoms of gonorrheamay include:
Gonorrhea can also infect the anus and throat.
In the anus, symptoms may include itching around the area, discharge, or pain.
Symptoms in the throat are rare and may only include a sore throat.
Chlamydia is treatedwith doxycycline taken orally, two times a day for seven days.
Gonorrhea treatments will vary.
Some strains of gonorrhea are now resistant to some antibiotic medications that were previously effective.
However, retesting at three months after treatment is recommended for everyone.
This reduces the risk of transmission to other people and being reinfected.
Oral doxycycline is taken once within 72 hours of condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
However, there are some notable differences, such as certain symptoms and the specific treatments for each infection.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how often you should be tested for STIs depending on your status.
Testing will help you identify infections sooner and reduce the risk of transmitting them to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to be infected with both at the same time.
This is because they are triggered by different bacteria.
The most up-to-date treatment guidelines recommend treating both infections in that case.
This may mean getting more than one medication from a healthcare provider.
Yes, the available treatments do effectively cure the infections.
However, it is possible to become reinfected.
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