Chapter 18: Sexually transmitted infections
Treatment
If possible, every pregnant woman should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea. If
the test shows she has one or both of these infections, she and her partner should
be treated. But if it is not possible for her to be tested, and she or her partner have
signs of the infection, they should be treated anyway. It is better to treat someone
who might be infected — even if you do not know for sure.
To treat chlamydia
• give 500 mg erythromycin ������������������������������������������������by mouth, 4 times a
day for 7 days
or
• give 500 mg amoxicillin �������������������������������������������������������by mouth, 3 times a day for 7 days
To treat gonorrhea
• inject 125 mg ceftriaxone ���������������������������������������������������in the muscle, 1 time only
or
• give 400 mg cefixime.............................................................by mouth, 1 time only
It is very common to have chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time. If you
are not sure whether the woman has chlamydia or gonorrhea, or if she might have
both, treat her and her partner for both infections.
Note: In the past, penicillin was used to cure gonorrhea. Now, in many
places, penicillin will not kill gonorrhea anymore because of drug
resistance (see page 464). Find out which drugs work best in your area.
Problems in babies from chlamydia and gonorrhea
Women who have chlamydia or gonorrhea when they give birth
can pass these infections on to their newborn babies. This can cause
eye infection leading to blindness, or serious lung problems. A
chlamydia or gonorrhea infection in the eyes usually causes a thick yellow
discharge from the eyes within the first month. To prevent eye infection in babies,
put antibiotic ointment into each baby’s eyes after birth (see page 260).
If a baby has a chlamydia infection
• give 30 mg erythromycin syrup ������������������������������������by mouth, 4 times a
day for 14 days
If a baby has a gonorrhea infection
• inject 125 mg ceftriaxone ���������������������������������������������������in the thigh muscle, 1 time only
If you cannot test to find out which disease is causing the infection, give
medicines for both.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)