Sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment

    • Brief

    • If you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection ( STI), ask your healthcare provider for help. STIs should be treated to avoid negative effects on your health. Talk to your healthcare provider so that they can give you the right treatment.

      Follow the treatment as your healthcare provider advises. Continue the treatment even when the symptoms have disappeared. There are different types of STIs. These do not always have symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider for advice. Every STI is treated differently.

    • Treatment for bacterial STIs

    • STIs caused by bacteria include:

      Bacterial STIs can be treated with antibiotics. You need a prescription from your healthcare provider. Then you can buy the medicines from a pharmacy. During treatment, avoid sex while you still have symptoms or use a condom to lower the risk of infecting sexual partners.

    • Treatment for viral STIs

    • STIs caused by a virus include:

      • HIV.
      • Hepatitis B.
      • Herpes.
      • Genital warts.

      Some viral STIs cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated. These include:

      • Hepatitis B: you need to rest well. If necessary, the healthcare provider can prescribe you medicines.
      • Herpes: if necessary, the healthcare provider can prescribe medicines for treating the blisters.
      • Genital warts: the healthcare provider can prescribe a cream to apply on the warts. If necessary, the healthcare provider removes the warts by cutting them away or freezing them.

    • Treatment for parasitic STIs

    • STIs caused by a parasite include:

      • Scabies.
      • Trichomoniasis
      • Pubic lice.

      Scabies:

      • Your healthcare provider can prescribe a cream to apply on your skin.
      • Wash your underwear, clothes, pyjamas, bed linen and towels every day at a temperature of at least 60° C.

      Trichomoniasis:

      • Can be treated with antibiotics.
      • You need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get the medicines.

      Pubic lice:

      • Your healthcare provider can prescribe a cream to apply on your skin where you have lice.
      • Wash your underwear, clothes, pyjamas, bed linen and towels every day at a temperature of at least 60° C.

    • Talking with your partner

    • If you have an STI, talk to your partner about it and encourage them to go to a healthcare provider. If you have STIs, your partner needs to be tested and treated as well. You protect yourself this way too. If your partner is not treated, you can become infected again if you have sex without a condom.
      Do not have sex during your treatment or use a condom to lower the risk of infecting your partner. If you have recently had sex with another person, warn them too. Then this person can also get tested and treated. You can also ask a healthcare provider for advice.