In response to recent surveillance data suggesting that the oral antibiotic cefixime is becoming less effective in treating gonorrhea, CDC has revised its gonorrhea treatment guidelines to preserve the last available effective treatment option for as long as possible. The new guidelines are published in the August 10, 2012 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [Update to CDC's Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010: oral cephalosporins no longer a recommended treatment for gonococcal infections. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012 Aug 10;61(31):590-4]. In addition to revising its treatment guidelines, CDC is also urging researchers in the public and private sectors to step up efforts to develop new treatments for this common but potentially serious sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection