It allows doctors to prescribe medication to their patients' partners without examining them. But if patients' partners can't go in for the recommended treatment, which includes an injection, the CDC said that oral antibiotics by themselves are better than no treatment at all. The partner treatment is important for "combatting the rising rates of gonorrhea in the U.S. before it's too late." Bowe said that even though she writes STD prescriptions for her patients' partners, she still worries about doing it because of possible drug allergies or side effects. In Indiana, providers can legally write prescriptions for their patients' partners, but they are prohibited from doing so in Kentucky, even though the clinics are only a short drive apart, she noted.

Source: CNN November 05, 2018 09:11 UTC