STD Basics
STD Treatment
Is there a cure or a treatment for STDs?
Some infections can be cured and others are chronic, but treatable with medication. Here's a snapshot of the most common STDs that are curable or treatable:
Common curable STDs
These STDs can be completely healed if you take the prescribed medications correctly.
| STD | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Antibiotics |
| Crabs and scabies | Over-the-counter and prescription creams |
| Gonorrhea | Antibiotics |
| Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) | Antibiotics |
| Shigella | Antibiotics |
| Syphilis | Antibiotics |
| Trichomoniasis | Antibiotics |
| Molluscum contagiosum | Various |
Common treatable STDs
These viruses can be treated and managed, but they cannot be cured.
| STD | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Rest, fluid, vaccine |
| Hepatitis B | Antiviral medications, vaccine |
| Hepatitis C | Antiviral medications |
| Herpes (HSV) | Antiviral medications |
| HIV | Anti-retroviral therapy |
| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Vaccine |
Note: We provide testing and consultation for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes 1 & 2, HIV and syphilis. See your regular doctor to get tested and treated for other STDs that require a pelvic exam.
Last reviewed by Medical Director Lisa Oldson, MD, January 2011.
Lisa Oldson, MD
Medical Director, Analyte Physicians Group
"The first thing I tell a patient about STDs is that if you're worried about one STD, you should probably worry about all STDs. In other words, if you had unprotected sex and you're worried about a possible HIV exposure, it's important to understand that hepatitis can be spread in the same fashion...ditto for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis."