First WHO Update to STI Guidelines since 2003
Data published in the US this summer on STIs suggested there may be a time when we are unable to treat gonorrhea infections.
In this Medical News Minute produced exclusively for www.Consultantlive.com Dr Bobby Lazzara highlights the first update to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines since 2003 on treatment of three sexually transmitted infections: gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Gonorrhea in particular poses a significant threat globally as it has become highly resistant to antibiotic treatment with only ceftriaxone and azithromycin, given in combination, still effective in most areas.
Among WHO’s recommendations – discontinue use of quinolones for gonorrhea. They no longer work; avoid tetracycline and the macrolide antibiotics for chlamydia infection, for the same reason. Dr Lazzara toplines several other portions of the revised guideline in the video above.
Source: Growing antibiotic resistance forces updates to recommended treatment for sexually transmitted infections [news release]. Geneva: World Health Organization, 30 August 2016.
