USMLE Prep - Medical Reference Library

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia — 2025 Treatment Guidance

System: Infectious Diseases • Reviewed: Aug 31, 2025 • Step 1Step 2Step 3

Synopsis:

Treat gonorrhea with ceftriaxone IM; add doxycycline if chlamydia not excluded. Treat chlamydia with doxycycline; azithromycin in pregnancy. Test and treat partners; retest at 3 months.

Key Points

  • Stabilize ABCs; begin targeted evaluation without delaying life-saving therapy.
  • Use system-specific risk tools to guide testing and disposition.
  • Order high-yield tests first; escalate imaging when indicated.
  • Start evidence-based initial therapy and reassess frequently.

Algorithm

  1. Primary survey and vitals; IV access and monitors.
  2. Focused history/physical; identify red flags and likely etiologies.
  3. Order system-appropriate labs and imaging (see Investigations).
  4. Initiate guideline-based empiric therapy (see Pharmacology).
  5. Reassess response; arrange consultation and definitive management.

Clinical Synopsis & Reasoning

For Gonorrhea Chlamydia 2025 Treatment Guidance, frame the differential by acuity and pathophysiology, then align diagnostics to the leading hypotheses. Prioritize stabilization while obtaining high‑yield studies such as CBC (Inflammation/infection), Lactate (Hypoperfusion), Blood cultures (Pathogen ID). Incorporate bedside imaging and targeted labs to define severity and identify complications; synthesize results with clinical trajectory to refine the working diagnosis and disposition needs.


Treatment Strategy & Disposition

Initiate disease‑directed therapy alongside supportive care, titrating to objective response. Pharmacologic options commonly include Broad-spectrum antibiotics. Use validated frameworks (e.g., Dosing Summary) to guide escalation and site of care. Address precipitating factors, de‑escalate empiric therapies with data, and arrange follow‑up for monitoring and risk‑factor modification; admit patients with instability, high risk of deterioration, or needs for close monitoring.


Management Notes

Consider expedited partner therapy where legal. Monitor local resistance updates.


Epidemiology / Risk Factors

  • Immunosuppression, devices; recent hospitalization

Investigations

TestRole / RationaleTypical FindingsNotes
CBCInflammation/infectionLeukocytosis/leukopenia
LactateHypoperfusionElevatedTrend
Blood culturesPathogen IDPositive/negativeBefore antibiotics if feasible

Dosing Summary

InfectionRegimen
Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral/rectal)Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM once (<150 kg)
Gonorrhea (≥150 kg)Ceftriaxone 1 g IM once
Chlamydia (non‑pregnant)Doxycycline 100 mg BID ×7 days
Chlamydia (pregnancy)Azithromycin 1 g PO once
Pharyngeal gonorrheaTest of cure at 7–14 days

Pharmacology

MedicationMechanismOnsetRole in TherapyLimitations
Ceftriaxone (IM)CephalosporinHoursGonorrheaAllergy
Doxycycline30S inhibitionHoursChlamydiaPhotosensitivity

Prognosis / Complications

  • Depends on host and source control; sepsis/organ failure risk

Patient Education / Counseling

  • Explain red flags and when to seek emergent care.
  • Reinforce medication adherence and follow-up plan.

References

  1. CDC STI Guidelines — Gonorrhea/Chlamydia — Link