Gynecological conditions and HIV / AIDS

October 2005     View PDF     En español

Other common STIs

Other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas commonly occur in women with HIV. Standard treatments are used to treat these conditions. They include antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax) to treat chlamydia or ceftriaxone (Rocephin) to treat gonorrhea. Both bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas are treated with metronidazole (Flagil).

When these infections occur, the vaginal acid level changes, making the area more welcoming to other infections, including HIV. Furthermore, untreated GYN conditions, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea, are common causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and cervicitis (as explained later).