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I tested positive, now what?
Getting treated and telling your partners.

Take care of it.

  • Get treated.
  • Most people with STDs don’t have symptoms, if you tested positive, you need to get treated even if you don’t have symptoms.
  • Much of the physical harm from STDs is caused because people don’t get treated or they get re-infected.
  • It takes 2! Your partner(s) also need to get treated.
  • Don’t have sex again until one week after you have taken all of your medicine.
  • Don’t have sex with current partner(s) until one week after both you and they have been treated.
  • If you have to have sex, be sure to use a condom.
  • The infection can cause infertility in women, problems in babies born to women with the infection and increases the chance of getting HIV if you are exposed to it.

What treatment will I get if I test positive?

  • If you have chlamydia, you will get azithromycin pills.
  • If you have gonorrhea, you will get cefixime (also called Suprax®) pills.
  • If you are allergic to these, your health care provider can prescribe other medications to treat the infections.
  • Follow the instructions for taking the medication and start treatment as soon as possible.
  • The medication is very good; azithromycin is over 96% effective and has few side effects.

Then what?

  • Tell your partner(s) that they have been exposed to an STD and need to be treated.
  • If you have symptoms after you finish your medication, go to a health care provider to get checked out again.
  • Get tested for HIV and other STDs because if you test positive for one STD, you have a higher chance of having another.
  • Get retested 3 months after treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea to make sure that your infection is gone.

Telling your partners: Be in charge of the situation and show that you care.

Tell your partner(s)…

  • that you have an STD, which is spread by sex which means that they have been exposed.
  • that they need to be treated whether they have symptoms or not.
  • accurate information about your infection (like what you tested positive for) so that they can get the right STD treatment.
  • that they need to visit a healthcare provider right away and explain that they have been exposed to an STD and need treatment.

Learn more about partner STD treatment options.

It’s normal to be nervous about telling your partner.

Everyone raises the subject differently but here are some ideas for handling the conversation:

  • Talk to your partner as soon as possible.
  • Imagine your roles are reversed – wouldn’t you want to know?
  • Do it in person rather than texting – but if you have to text, get it done.
  • Be proud of your intentions.
  • Be direct and honest.
  • Don’t force the conversation, be natural.
  • Give them space. Don’t push your partner to make decisions about sex or your relationship right away.
  • Encourage your partner to ask questions.

How do I prevent getting infected again?

Don’t have sex with any partner(s) for one week after you and they have been treated and have taken all of their medicine.

Find other ways to be intimate and express your feelings for one another besides sex during the time you’re getting treated.

When you do have sex, use condoms and practice safe sex techniques.

Getting Tested
Why get tested and what to expect.
I tested positive, now what?
Getting treated and telling your partners.
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