• Speak to your doctor or nurse
  Get information about getting treatment started. This usually happens when you get your STI test results.
• Take a sex break
  You may need to stop having sex until your doctor says it’s ok and you have finished your treatment. It’s important that you follow your doctor’s advice to keep your partner/s safe or to use a condom.
• Let any partner/s know
  It is so important that you tell any current or recent partner/s that you’ve been diagnosed with an STI so they get tested too. If you’re not comfortable having this conversation, you can do it anonymously (more information on this below!)
• Use protection moving forward
  Prevent it from happening again by practicing safe sex and remember that condoms offer the best protection against STIs.

Can STIs be cured?

Good news! Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.

Other STIs like genital herpes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aren’t ‘curable’, but they are manageable, meaning that with the right treatment people can live normal, healthy lives.

Can I have sex while I’m being treated for an STI?

Your doctor or nurse will let you know when it’s safe to have sex again. Often, it’s recommended to avoid sex until you have finished your treatment and to use a condom.

Check in with your doctor or nurse or call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 for personalised advice.

There are so many ways you can approach these kinds of conversations, and the way you go about it is totally up to you, as long as you feel safe.

You can tell someone directly (in-person, phone call, text or DM), or choose to do it anonymously through a free service like Let Them Know.

There are so many ways you can approach these kinds of conversations, and the way you go about it is totally up to you, as long as you feel safe.

You can tell someone directly (in-person, phone call, text or DM), or choose to do it anonymously through a free service like Let Them Know.

Telling them directly

Letting someone know that you have an STI directly (they know the message is coming from you) can be difficult, but it is a good option if you feel safe doing so. If you decide to tell someone directly, here are some things to keep in mind.

• Keep it private.
  Whether you’re meeting in person, speaking on the phone or messaging on social, make sure it’s private. This convo is not for the group chat.
• Be the bigger person.
  Even if you suspect that this person gave you the STI, remain calm, supportive and kind. Arguing about it won’t change anything.
• Give them the information they need.
  At the end of the day, how much information you disclose is completely up to you, but at a minimum you should let them know that you have been diagnosed with an STI and that they should get a test.
• Use ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statements.
  No one is at fault here, so saying things like ‘You’ve given me gonorrhea’ isn’t going to help anyone.

Your doctor, nurse or even a counsellor can help you work out what to say or how to bring it up. You can also call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 for confidential information and advice about telling someone you have an STI.

Letting them know anonymously

If you don’t feel comfortable or safe letting someone know that you have an STI, you can send them an anonymous text using one of the below free services.

• Let Them Know
  This website lets you text or email partner/s anonymously, and has a bunch of free templates, videos and advice if you decide to let people know directly.
• The Drama Down Under
  This website specialises in helping men who have sex with men anonymously notify their partner/s.
• Better to Know
  This website is specifically designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people anonymously notify their partner/s and has a range of information on different STIs.

Are STI tests confidential?

Your STI test results are confidential, just like any other healthcare information. However, if you’re diagnosed with a notifiable STI, your doctor may be legally required to report it to NSW Health or your local public health unit. Your information is protected by privacy laws, but if you have any concerns, speak to the doctor or nurse doing your test, or call 1800 451 624 to talk to a sexual health nurse (it’s free and anonymous).