What is the treatment for uncomplicated gonococcal infection?

• A. Oral doxycycline
• B. IM ceftriaxone with partner treatment
• C. Topical mupirocin
• D. IV penicillin

Answer: (B)

Treating uncomplicated gonorrhea relies on using an antibiotic that remains reliably effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, along with stopping transmission by addressing sexual partners. An injectable cephalosporin given as a single dose, specifically ceftriaxone, provides strong tissue and mucosal penetration and is the standard first-line therapy because many other antibiotics have fallen out of favor due to resistance. Because a sizable portion of patients with gonorrhea are also coinfected with Chlamydia trachomatis, partners should be treated to prevent reinfection and further spread; this is often done in tandem with the gonorrhea treatment. Topical antibiotics like mupirocin don’t treat gonorrhea, and older options such as intravenous penicillin are ineffective today because of widespread resistance. The key idea is to give effective systemic therapy and ensure partners are treated to curb transmission.