Treatment Doxycycline 100 mg po bid, erythromycin 500 mg po qid, or tetracycline 500 mg po qid, each for 21 days, rapidly heals the early stages of disease. Azithromycin is probably effective, but the dose and duration necessary for LGV have not been defined. Lymphedema in later stages may not resolve despite elimination of the organism. Fluctuant buboes should be aspirated, not incised. Abscesses and fistulas usually require surgery, but rectal strictures can usually be dilated.
Elephantiasis is treated by plastic surgery.
All sexual contacts should be examined, and the patient should be observed for 6 mo after apparently successful treatment. All rights reserved.