The BC Centre For Disease Control (BCCDC) monitors data related to different sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent gonorrhea surveillance data indicates that a change in how treatment is administered across the province will combat the bacteria more effectively and prevent gonorrhea from becoming more difficult to treat in the future.
People visiting the HIM clinic for gonorrhea treatment should expect a slightly longer appointment. Previously the medication to treat gonorrhea was usually a combination of Cefixime and Azithromycin pills, but now the recommended medication is Ceftriaxone administered as an intramuscular injection into the gluteal muscle (the butt).
People who are notified that they have been in sexual contact with someone with gonorrhea or have visible discharge during the nurse assessment will receive the antibiotic treatment. Treatment is given to people who have a confirmed positive gonorrhea result or are in direct sexual contact with someone who has a confirmed positive result.
The same post-treatment rules apply as before; avoid having sex with anyone for 7 days after the injection to give the antibiotics time to kill the bacteria.
For more information on gonorrhea treatment and other STI treatment check out our MoreThanSex.ca resource.
