Clarithromycin (Biaxin in the US) is chemically similar to azithromycin (Zithromax), one of the standard drugs for several STDs. Although it has not been studied extensively against STDs, it undoubtedly is effective in either treating or preventing all the infections that respond to azithromycin. In the dose you were give, you were protected from chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), gonorrhea, and probably syphilis.
Syphilis probably isn't a problem unless you live in certain areas of the US, such as the west coast, and certain parts of Europe, such as Dublin, where syphilis strains resistant to that class of antibiotics are quite common. However, heterosexually transmitted syphilis is very rare in most settings, probably especially in non-brothel based, non-street walking CSWs.
No antibiotic protects against the viral STDs, such as HSV, HIV, HPV, and hepatitis B. You have no worries for any bacterial STD.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I'm sure the statement about local syphilis frequency is accurate. There are only about 20,000 new cases per year in the entire US, and 90% of those are concentrated in a few geographic areas; and 70% of cases are in men who have sex with men.
Thanks for the response. I live NJ. I was told last year during a routine STD test that there haven't been a reported case of Syphilis for a couple of years in the area, not sure how true that statement is but it sounded good.
I've been through Hep B years ago from a dirty tattoo shop when I was in the military.
Make sure I am careful next time.
Thanks again.