What should you know about gonococcal antibiotics?

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria that can infect the genitals, throat, rectum or eyes. Some strains do not respond to certain antibiotics, so treatment should follow a clinician's current prescription rather than leftover medicine or a pharmacy guess. A urine or swab sample may be taken before treatment, including from the throat or rectum when those sites have been exposed. Symptoms can improve before the infection has cleared, and some people have no symptoms.

A sexual partner may need assessment and treatment even without symptoms. This helps prevent passing the infection back and protects others. Testing for other sexually transmitted infections may also be offered.

Take the prescribed treatment exactly as directed and tell the clinician about allergies, pregnancy, other medicines and any previous treatment. Avoid sexual contact until the clinician confirms it is safe and partners have been addressed. Do not share antibiotics. Return for recommended follow-up if symptoms remain, recur or involve the throat; a repeat test may be needed to check clearance.

Seek prompt medical care for pelvic or testicular pain, fever, rash, painful swollen joints, eye pain or vision changes. Urgent assessment is needed for severe abdominal pain, rapidly worsening illness or a painful red eye. If symptoms do not settle after treatment, contact the prescribing service rather than taking another course yourself.

Ask which body sites need testing, when partners should attend, whether you need testing for chlamydia or other infections, and whether follow-up is needed after treatment. Tell the clinician if symptoms began after a previous antibiotic course.