The best treatment for chlamydia is a dose of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Chlamydia is easily treated and cured with antibiotics, and it is important to get tested and treated if you suspect you have been exposed to the infection.
Your doctor will likely prescribe one of the following to help treat the infection:
- Azithromycin: A single dose of azithromycin (Zithromax) is the recommended treatment for chlamydia. It is usually given as a one-time dose, but in some cases, a three-day course of azithromycin may be prescribed.
- Doxycycline: A seven-day course of doxycycline (Vibramycin) is another treatment option for chlamydia. It is usually taken twice a day, with or without food.
- Erythromycin: Erythromycin is an alternative treatment for chlamydia, especially for pregnant women and people who are allergic to azithromycin or doxycycline.
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin). This antibiotic is taken once daily for a week.
- Ofloxacin (Floxin). This antibiotic is taken twice daily for a week.
What you can do
Part of your treatment should also include avoiding sexual activities that could cause you to get re-infected and ensuring that any sexual partners who may be infected also get treatment. You should:
- Abstain from sex until your infection has cleared up. Starting treatment doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear. Take all your medication as your provider directs, and avoid all sexual contact in the meantime.
- Contact all sexual partners. Tell any sexual partners from the last 3 months that you’re infected so that they can get tested, too.
- Get tested for other STIs (HIV/AIDS, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea). It’s common to have multiple STIs, and it’s important to receive treatment that’s tailored to each infection.
It’s worth noting that it is important to take all of the medication as prescribed. Additionally, you should get retested within 3 months after treatment to make sure the infection has been completely cleared.
Home remedies for chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection. The only true cure for this type of infection is antibiotics. Some alternative treatments may help ease symptoms.
Home remedies for chlamydia that may be effective (for symptoms, not the infection itself) include:
- Goldenseal. This medicinal plant may limit symptoms during an infection by reducing inflammation.
- Echinacea. This plant has been widely used to boost the immune system to help people overcome infections of many types, from the common cold to skin wounds. It may help reduce symptoms of chlamydia.
- Turmeric containing an ingredient called curcumin to reduce inflammation and make symptoms less severe
- Cold pack to help limit swelling and inflammation
Although compounds in these plants might help ease inflammation and infection in general, there aren’t any quality studies that they’re effective specifically for chlamydia symptoms. And there’s no substitute for antibiotics when treating chlamydia. Only try these remedies if you’re already taking antibiotics or if you plan to go to the doctor.
It is also important to inform any sexual partners that you have had in the last 60 days so they can be tested and treated as well, and to use condoms to reduce the risk of re-infection.