STDs means Sexually Transmitted Diseases. They are caused by organisms (virus, bacterial, fungi and protozoan) which are transmitted by sexual intercourse.
Viral STDs are:- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Herpes, Hepatitis B&C.
Bacterial STDs are: Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Chlamydia, Granuloma inguinale, Haemophilus ducreyi which causes Chancroid.
Fungal STDs are: Yeast infections
Protozoan STDs: Trichomoniasis
MEDICATIONS FOR STDs
It is important to know that taking medication against STI will yield no lasting significant clinical improvement if not taken at the right dosage and for the right length of time, otherwise, it becomes poorly managed.
HIV/AIDS: The essence of medication here is not to cure the disease but to keep the viral load low as much as possible. Classes of drug use are: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Stavudine, Zidovudine, Lamuvudine), Protease inhibitor (indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir), Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (efavirenz, nevirapine).
Gonorrhea: Ceftriaxone, Cefixime
Chlamydia: Azithromycin, doxycycline, Levofloxacin, erythromycin, Unasyn.
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recommends that Gonorrhea and Chlamydia be treated in tandem.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): topical preparation of importance for this condition include podophyllin, imiquimod, trichloroacetic acid.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):- According to RCOG, appropriate regimen include:
Ofloxacin + Metronidazole
OR
Ceftriaxone + Doxycycline + Metronidazole
OR
Ofloxacin + Metronidazole
In pregnancy: Cefotaxime + Azithromycin + Metronidazole
Genital Herpes: Acyclovir, famciclovir
Syphilis: – The drug of choice for syphilis is penicillin. However, in some exceptional occasions, doxycycline, tetracycline or azithromycin can be used.
PREVENTION
1. Limit your sexual partners
2. Avoid risky sexual partner.
3. Get immunized for Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus.
4. Make sure you are properly treated whenever you have STI by a competent and certified health professional to prevent re-occurrence.
5. Complete your dosage. Do not stop taking your drug because you are relieved. Discontinue the medication only when you have taken it for the right time as prescribed by your doctor or certified Pharmacist.
SOURCE
1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist.
2. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Pharm. Faleye Oyeyemi graduated from faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun Sate, Nigeria with distinctions and did her one year internship program at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos after which she did her one year compulsory NYSC with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Lagos.
Oyeyemi has earned herself Certification from University of Washington, Dublin in “Clinical Management of HIV and Leadership and Management in Health.”
Also, Oyeyemi is currently running her Masters program in Pharmaceutics.
She does not only portray academic excellence but the same in paying attention to details. She can be briefly described as a multi-talented fellow.
