Question: How Can I Protect Myself and Others if I Have a STD?
Answer: If you have a sexually transmitted disease or STD, it’s important to take a few precautionary steps to assure that you get well and don’t transmit the STD to others.
- First make sure you take all of your medication as prescribed by your health care provider.
- You must immediately talk to your sex partner(s) about your STD. Make sure they understand that they understand the urgency of seeing a doctor for testing and treatment.
See: How Do I Tell My Partner I Have Genital Herpes? - Of course, you must not have sex while you are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease. That’s how you got a STD – having sex with someone who had one – you don’t want to continue transmitting the infection to others or risk yourself not getting well.
- Once you are treated and the doctor says you can resume having sexual relations – always use a condom during any type of sexual contact to help lower your risk of STDs, sexually transmitted infections or STIs, or HIV the virus that causes AIDS. It’s important to remember that although condoms provide protection they sometimes fail, and areas that are not covered by the condoms are subject to skin-to-skin contact and transmission.
See: Condom FAQs - If you have a STD that causes open sores or rashes, you should take special care not to touch the area. If you do touch these areas, make sure to wash your hands immediately.
Adapted from the NWHIC
