Who do I tell that I’ve got an STI?
Firstly, you need to think about which partners – past and current – need to be informed. If you’re not in a relationship, have a think about any recent sex you’ve had.
How do I tell someone I’ve got an STI?
- You can choose to inform your sexual partners yourself. This is the best way as most people want to be told privately and in person
- You can also choose to text or email. Your doctor can have a chat with you about what to say or how to approach it
- You can anonymously send a text or email using services such as Let them know, Better to know, The Drama Downunder
- If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself you can ask your doctor for help. This can be done anonymously too
It can seem scary to tell someone you have an STI, but somone else can help contact them for you to make it easier
Why do I need to tell someone I’ve got an STI?
Firstly, it can prevent you from being re-infected. That’s because many STIs have no symptoms, so your partner may have an infection without even knowing. Secondly, it informs any previous partners you’ve had sex with so they can go and get tested. They have the right to know, even though it might seem difficult to tell them. Thirdly, it helps to reduce the number of people with STIs in the community altogether. Which can only be a good thing right?
What if I used condoms?
Yep, condoms are an effective form of protection against STIs, but you should still inform your partners so that they can get tested. Be honest.
