WHO ICD-10 codes, which STDs are curable vs managed, current medicines in use, and how to take them — for educational reference only.
Do NOT self-medicate based on this page.
This page is for educational reference only. Medicines for STDs require a doctor's diagnosis, correct dosage calculation, allergy screening, and monitoring for side effects. Always consult a licensed doctor and follow their prescription exactly. Wrong or incomplete treatment can cause antibiotic resistance, treatment failure, and serious harm.
These infections can be completely eliminated with the right treatment course — but you can catch them again after being cured. Getting re-tested regularly and practising safe sex is essential.
Fully curable with antibiotics, even in late stages if treated promptly.
Curable with a single antibiotic dose. Antibiotic resistance is rising — test-of-cure recommended.
Curable with a short course of antibiotics. Often asymptomatic — get tested even without symptoms.
Most common curable STI worldwide. A single oral dose of metronidazole is highly effective.
Bacterial ulcer disease. Responds well to azithromycin or ceftriaxone.
Self-limiting viral infection — the immune system clears it. Vaccination prevents future infection.
Now over 95% curable with 8–12 weeks of Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs).
Treated with topical insecticide creams or lotions. Full eradication possible.
These infections cannot be fully eliminated yet. With modern treatment they are controlled — people live healthy, normal lives — but medication and monitoring continue for life.
No cure exists, but Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) controls the virus to undetectable levels. U=U applies.
Virus stays dormant in nerve cells for life. Antivirals reduce outbreaks and lower transmission risk.
Chronic infection managed with antivirals. ~90% of adults naturally clear acute infection; vaccine exists.
No antiviral cures HPV itself. Warts and abnormal cells are treated. Gardasil-9 vaccine prevents high-risk strains.
Establishes lifelong latent infection. Antivirals (ganciclovir/valganciclovir) used when it reactivates, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Human T-lymphotropic viruses with no cure. Linked to leukaemia and neurological disease; managed with long-term monitoring.
Usually self-limiting but becomes chronic and unmanageable in immunocompromised patients (e.g. advanced HIV). Treated with cryotherapy or topical agents.
A general reference to medicines currently used by doctors in India. Doses, duration and choice of drug are always decided by a licensed physician based on your test results.
How to use: Single intramuscular injection for primary/secondary syphilis. 3 weekly doses for late latent. Only given by a doctor.
How to use: Twice daily for 14 days (primary/secondary). Take with food and a full glass of water. Avoid sun exposure.
Penicillin is the gold standard. Blood test (VDRL/RPR) repeated at 3, 6, 12 months to confirm cure.
How to use: Single intramuscular injection by a healthcare provider. Often combined with doxycycline for co-infection coverage.
How to use: 1 g single oral dose — used alongside Ceftriaxone, not alone, due to rising resistance. Take on empty stomach.
Test-of-cure swab 1–2 weeks after treatment is strongly recommended. Do not self-medicate — resistance is common.
How to use: One gram as a single oral dose. Take on an empty stomach for best absorption. Avoid antacids.
How to use: Twice daily for 7 days. Take with food to reduce nausea. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking.
Sexual partners must also be treated. Avoid intercourse for 7 days after single-dose or until course completion.
How to use: 2 g as a single oral dose. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before and after — causes severe nausea and flushing.
How to use: 2 g as a single oral dose. Similar precautions to metronidazole regarding alcohol.
Both partners must be treated simultaneously. Re-test 3 months after treatment.
How to use: One tablet daily for 8–12 weeks with food. 95%+ cure rate for genotype 1 and 4.
How to use: One tablet daily for 12 weeks. Works across all hepatitis C genotypes. Take with food.
HCV RNA test 12 weeks after finishing treatment confirms sustained virological response (SVR = cure).
How to use: One tablet daily, lifelong. Must not be missed — resistance develops with irregular dosing.
How to use: Once-daily tablet. Easier on kidneys than older TDF formulations.
ART must be started promptly after diagnosis and continued for life. Regular CD4 and viral load monitoring required.
How to use: 3 times daily for 5–10 days for an active outbreak. 400 mg twice daily for daily suppression.
How to use: Twice daily for 3–5 days for outbreaks. 500 mg once daily for suppression — better absorbed than Acyclovir.
How to use: Twice daily for outbreak treatment or daily suppressive therapy. Available in India as Famvir.
Suppressive therapy reduces transmission risk by ~50% and outbreak frequency. Start at first sign of tingling.
How to use: Once daily tablet, long-term. Taken with or without food. Regular kidney function tests required.
How to use: Once daily on an empty stomach (2 hours before or after food). Do not stop abruptly — rebound can occur.
Vaccine (3 doses) gives lifelong protection if not yet infected. Annual liver function tests for those on treatment.
How to use: Apply to visible warts 3 times per week at night. Wash off after 6–10 hours. Do not apply to mucous membranes.
How to use: Apply twice daily for 3 days, then stop for 4 days. Repeat up to 4 cycles. Avoid during pregnancy.
No antiviral removes the virus — only symptoms are treated. Gardasil-9 vaccine (3 doses) prevents types 6, 11, 16, 18, and 5 more high-risk strains.
The WHO ICD-10 code for each infection and the test that confirms your status after treatment.
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B20 | HIV disease | HIV 4th-generation Ag/Ab · CD4 count · viral loadPanel: HIV complete panelManaged with antiretroviral therapy (ART). | Managed, not cured | Yes — stays for life |
| Z21 | HIV positive, no symptoms | HIV antibody · CD4 count · viral loadPanel: HIV monitoring | Managed, not cured | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A50 | Congenital syphilis | TPHA · FTA-ABS · RPRPanel: Syphilis panel | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| A51 | Early (primary & secondary) syphilis | TPHA · FTA-ABS · RPR titrePanel: Syphilis panelRPR titre should fall after treatment; TPHA stays positive for life. | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| A52 | Late syphilis | TPHA · FTA-ABSPanel: Syphilis panel | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| A53 | Other syphilis | TPHA · FTA-ABSPanel: Syphilis panel | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| A53.9 | Syphilis, unspecified | TPHA · FTA-ABS · RPR titrePanel: Syphilis panel | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B16 | Acute hepatitis B | HBsAg · Anti-HBs · HBeAg · HBV DNAPanel: Hep B complete panelHBsAg disappearing and Anti-HBs appearing confirms recovery. | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| B18.1 | Chronic hepatitis B | HBsAg · Anti-HBs · HBV DNAPanel: Hep B panelManaged long-term with antiviral medicine. | Managed, not cured | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B17.1 | Acute hepatitis C | HCV RNA PCR · Anti-HCV antibodyPanel: Hep C panel | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| B18.2 | Chronic hepatitis C | HCV RNA PCR · Anti-HCV antibodyPanel: Hep C panelModern antivirals cure over 95%; a negative HCV RNA confirms cure. Anti-HCV stays positive. | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B15 | Acute hepatitis A | Anti-HAV IgM · IgG antibodyPanel: Hep A antibodyIgG gives lifelong immunity after infection. | Curable | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A60 | Genital herpes (HSV) | HSV IgG antibody (type 1 & 2)Panel: Herpes IgG panelIgG can take 12–16 weeks to turn positive after first exposure. | Managed, not cured | Yes — stays for life |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A54 | Gonorrhoea | NAAT (PCR) test of cure about 3 weeks after treatmentPanel: GC NAAT | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A55 | Chlamydial lymphogranuloma (LGV) | NAAT (PCR) 3–4 weeks after treatmentPanel: Chlamydia NAAT | Curable | No |
| A56 | Chlamydia | NAAT (PCR) 3–4 weeks after treatment; re-test at 3 monthsPanel: Chlamydia NAAT | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A59 | Trichomoniasis | NAAT or wet-prep microscopyPanel: Trichomonas NAAT | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A63 | HPV / condylomata | No blood test — clinical examinationPanel: HPV DNA swabOften clears on its own; there is no blood test for HPV. | Managed, not cured | No |
| B97.7 | Papillomavirus (HPV) as the cause of disease | HPV DNA PCR swabPanel: HPV DNA swabOften clears on its own; there is no blood test for HPV. | Managed, not cured | No |
| A63.0 | Genital warts (HPV) | HPV DNA PCR swabPanel: HPV DNA swab | Managed, not cured | No |
| B07 | Viral warts | Clinical examination · HPV DNA swabPanel: HPV DNA swab | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A57 | Chancroid | Clinical examination + culturePanel: Haemophilus ducreyi culture | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B85.3 | Pubic lice (crabs) | Clinical examination | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B86 | Scabies | Dermoscopy · skin scrapingPanel: Skin scraping | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B35 | Tinea (ringworm) | KOH skin scraping · fungal culturePanel: Skin fungal swab | Curable | No |
| ICD-10 | Condition | Confirmation test after treatment | Curable | Lifelong antibodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A64 | Sexually transmitted disease, unspecified | Depends on the infection — as advised by the doctor | Depends | No |
For syphilis, herpes, HIV and hepatitis A, B and C, the body keeps making antibodies after the infection — so an antibody test stays positive even after successful treatment. That is why a re-test after treatment uses a different test (for example RPR titre for syphilis, or HCV RNA for hepatitis C) to show the infection is cleared or controlled.
Official WHO ICD-10 Codes
For the complete and authoritative list of International Classification of Diseases codes, visit the World Health Organization's official ICD browser.
Open WHO ICD-10 BrowserThe medicine and dosage information on this page is a general educational reference only. Every person's situation is different — the right drug, dose and duration depend on your test results, other medications you take, allergies, kidney and liver function, and other factors only a doctor can assess.