I was curious..if one had access to antibiotics that are used to treat common STDs like gonorrhea or clamydia, would taking the prescribed dose to treat such an infection PRIOR to seeing a provider practically guarantee that the disease would never even take root. If so would you take this the day before your date? I'm not planning on seeing a lady who I suspect..rather figure in this case an ounce of prevention is worth a lot of cure

I am not a DR but hey mate .. antibiotics's dont stop AIDS...

take the day of or immediately after

PM for antibiotic of choice

If you take antibiotics beforehand, the only thing you are doing is making more virulent forms of the diseases.  Overuse of antibiotics is causing a surge in in the mutation towards drug-resistant diseases, esp STDs.
Not an mediacal person, I just read a lot and try to stay informed.
If you "hobby" use condoms, play safe, try to see that your partner(s) do as well, and get treated if - IF you need to be treated.

Antibiotics are not immune system boosters, not are they vaccines.

Prophylactic doses of antibiotics would most probably protect you from diseases caused by the bacteria that were sensitive to that particular antibiotic.  In this respect, his approach is no different from the common practice of starting patients on cephalexin before surgery to prevent staph infections.  But the big issues are 1) is it the right antibiotic 2) it's a very bad idea to take antibiotics unless necessary (they kill good intestinal flora and have other side effects) 3) once you started you would have to make sure you took the full course of the drug otherwise you risk breeding drug resistant strains of the bug 4) and the biggest issue - any practice that gives you the clap, chlamydia etc could also give you HIV, a range of Hep, HPV and god knows what else.  So it would give you a false sense of security.  

If you are this concerned about exposure to STDs and other nasties, then probably best to steer clear of hobbying for the moment.

-- Modified on 1/21/2005 3:29:12 AM

One who had access to antibiotics to treat gonorrhea would have to be a doctor, as the treatment for this particular disease is penicillin in two SHOTS.

Further, they state that since most said diseases do not manifest themselves for 10 or more days, taking any antibiotic in advance may in fact only heighten the dieases' ability to fight the treatment at a later time.

Not to mention you would need to know exactly what antibiotics and dosage is needed to kill these, as again, if you take too low a dosage, it provides a breeding ground for said disease to immune itself to the antibiotic, and then you end up with a worse case than you had before.

Their advice, stay safe, use condoms, and minimize your risk of exposure in the first place, and stay tested if you are not with only one partner or celibate.

Planned Parenthood and your local health department are generally happy to answer questions with as little as a phone call. The health department also offers testing for std's for free or for a minimal charge. Planned Parenthood is great for information, limited testing, and birth control matters.

I recommmend that everyone use these services, and if you would like more information on how to contact them, you can do a  search for planned parenthood and your city, and for health departments, you can type in health department and your county. Ex. Planned Parenthood New York City

In Ohio at the health department, all testing is free except for herpes, and the cost there for that test is $40, and is the only test now requiring a blood draw. HIV testing is by a swab to the mouth, and all others are a swab for men or pap smear for females. All testing can be anonyomous or you can sign for certified results as well. They suggest testing every three months for anyone that does perform or receive any form of unprotected sex. Results take about two weeks to get back, and you must return if you would like to receive your results.

Forty bucks every three months shouldn't be too much for anyone in this hobby. Play safe and play responsibly:}~~

Hope this helps some.
Always,
Angel

Ohio Angel..thank you very much for your informative and nice reply

Certain antibiotics are especially effective at combatting the STD's you mentioned. CiproRX is prescribed to treat Gohhereah. One day dosage is all that is needed. But that is only AFTER you have contracted it. You can't take it in advance to boost your immune system, because they don't work that way. They work to attack viruses already in your system, they don't build a better immune wall.

My recommendation is, if these are your worries, and I dont doubt that you have real concerns, don't see anyone and save yourself the expense and worry. If you have these diseases or think you have something go see a doc. No joking.

Please don't think that taking medications prior to getting any  sorce of virus or infection will prevent a person from contacting such. Someone who gave you that idea must have been in the service. That was different in times of war in going to other countries. Contacting a doctor is best. Believe me when I tell you they have heard it all. Heck half of are clients are doctors.  There are many different symptoms that are common in many different infections.Taking to many medications can build up your immune system against fighting infections and your body will reject the medications and therefore not work when you realy need them. Also please keep in mind that many medications including herbal's can be a deadly cocktail when mixed with a medication you may already be taking. Many men take viagra. Please just make sure a doctor realy did prescribe it for you. Sorry I dont mean to preach but I care about all of you and Ive seen to much pain in those faces in the people who love you when I have to tell them Im sorry he/she didnt make it. Take care and be well.

EMMA YOUR RIGHT.

GC and chlamydia are both relatively benign STD's easily treated by antibiotics. Prophylactic use will not accomplish much except create drug resistant strains. As far as HSV, the antiviral rx's for this only act on infected cells, not viral particles in the body. Therefore, prophylactic use is a complete waste. The once of prevention you speak of should really be a condom!