English STI TESTING December 2022

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spread through sex. If you are exposed to an STI, it can take time to show up on
an exam or test. No exam or test is 100% accurate all the time. Testing is based on your symptoms, health history and
risk factors. If you have concerns or symptoms, talk to your doctor or nurse.
STI ABOUT THE INFECTION HOW DO I GET TESTED?
CHLAMYDIA  Caused by bacteria Urine test and/or swab of the
 May have discharge, pain with urination, or belly or testicular pain genital area, anus, and/or
GONORRHEA  Usually no symptoms mouth sent to lab.
 Can be cured
GENITAL  Caused by virus If you have symptoms, see a
HERPES  Can cause sores on the genitals or other areas of skin doctor or nurse right away. They
 May not have symptoms can swab the sore(s) to send to
 Can be treated but not cured a lab.
GENITAL WARTS  Caused by virus If you have symptoms, see a
 Painless, sometimes itchy, genital bumps doctor or nurse. They can do an
 Can be treated but usually goes away on its own exam of the bump(s).
HEPATITIS B  Caused by virus Blood test sent to lab.
HEPATITIS C  May have tiredness, belly pain, yellowing of eyes or skin
 May not have symptoms
 Can also get from contact with blood carrying hepatitis B or C
 Hepatitis B has a vaccine for prevention
 Can be treated but not cured
HIV  A virus Usually a blood test. May be a
 Early symptoms may include flu-like illness, rash, joint pain swab from inside of mouth. May
 May not have symptoms be sent to lab.
 Can also get from contact with blood carrying HIV
 Can be treated but not cured
HUMAN  A virus – there are many kinds. Some are associated with cancers of HPV testing is used for cervical
PAPILLOMA the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, or mouth cancer screening and
VIRUS (HPV)  Usually no symptoms management only. HPV testing
 Vaccine for prevention is not recommended for any
 Can be treated but not cured other reason.
MOLLUSCUM  Caused by virus If you have symptoms, see a
CONTAGIOSUM  May have painless bumps on lower belly, genital area or thighs and doctor or nurse. They can do an
can appear in other areas of the body exam of the bump(s).
 Can be treated but usually goes away on its own
MYCOPLASMA  Caused by bacteria Urine test and/or swab of the
GENITALIUM  May have discharge, pain with urination, or belly or testicular pain genital area sent to lab. Tests
(Mgen)  May not have symptoms are not always available.
 Can be cured
PUBIC LICE  Caused by tiny parasites which attach to hair By exam.
(CRABS)  Have itching, nits (eggs) can be seen on hair
 Can be treated
SCABIES  Caused by tiny parasites on the skin By exam.
 May have itching (worse at night), skin rashes
 Can be treated
SYPHILIS  Caused by bacteria If you have symptoms, see a
 May have a painless sore on genitals or mouth, rash on hands or feet doctor or nurse. They can do a
 May not have symptoms blood test or swab taken from a
 Can be treated sore and send it to a lab.
 STI ABOUT THE INFECTION HOW DO I GET TESTED?
TRICHOMONIASIS  Caused by tiny parasites in the genitals Urine test, swab of genital area,
(TRICH)  May have discharge and itching, pain with urination or checking a sample of
 May not have symptoms discharge. May be sent to lab.
 Can be treated
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English HIV TEST December 2022

Who should get tested for HIV?
Getting an HIV test is the only way to know if you have HIV. Many people have HIV but don’t know it. You might not
feel sick or have any health problems. But you can still pass HIV to other people. Experts recommend that everyone
between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested at least once, even if they have no known risks of HIV infection.

Anyone who is sexually active should get tested regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Talk to your doctor or nurse about how often you should get tested.

When should I get tested if I think I was exposed to HIV?

It’s a good idea to come in right away.

What kinds of HIV tests are there?

Some tests look for the proteins that your body makes against HIV. Other tests look for proteins and part of the virus.
Tests can be done on blood or fluid from your mouth. Your test will likely go to a lab, but we can also do a rapid test
that show results during your visit.

What do the results mean?

A negative result could mean you don’t have HIV. But it may not always be accurate. It depends on when you were
exposed, when you took the test, and what kind of test you had. The window period is the time it takes for the test to
turn positive after you have been exposed. If the test is done during the window period, you may get a false negative
result.

If you have HIV, you can give HIV to others even if your test is negative. In fact, during this time, you have the
greatest chance of passing HIV to others. We will talk to you about when you should be retested.

A positive result means that you may have HIV. All positive results are re-checked with a second test so you can know
for sure if you have it. If it is confirmed that your HIV test is positive, we will help you get the care you need.
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English REDUCING YOUR RISK FOR Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) December 2022
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from person to person during sex – vaginal, anal, or oral - through
blood, body fluids, or skin in the genital area. They are very common. But the good news is there are ways to protect
each other and ourselves from STIs by having safer sex.

Get immunized
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent Hepatitis A and B, and HPV (human papillomavirus). It’s best to get
your vaccines before you start to have sex, but if you already have had sex, it’s not too late. Talk to your doctor or nurse
about the vaccines that are right for you.

Consider abstinence
One way to avoid STIs is to not have sex of any kind. This is called abstinence.

Talk to your partner(s)

Speak honestly and openly with your sex partner(s) about STIs and prevention before you have sex. Your sex partner’s
sexual history is as important as your own.

Understand your risk

Decide if you and your sex partner(s) are only having sex with one another or if you are having sex with other people as
well — Consider getting tested more often if you or your partner has more than one partner.

Get yourself tested

The only way to know if you or your sex partner(s) have an STI is to get tested. You can’t tell if others are infected by
how they look or if they feel sick because most people don’t have symptoms when they have an STI. Get tested and ask
your sex partner(s) to get tested before having sex. Know that some infections may take several months to show up on
a test, so you may need to retest.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about how often you should get tested, and for which STIs.

Understand safe, safer and least safe activities

 Safe activities don’t spread STIs. Abstinence, talking about fantasies, masturbation, sexy talk, online sex, phone sex
and non-sexual massage are all safe when it comes to STIs.
 Safer activities have low risk of spreading STIs. These include open mouth kissing, hand-to-genital contact, body-to-
body rubbing (“outercourse”), oral sex, or playing with sex toys with a partner. Vaginal and anal sex with a barrier
method (like condoms) are also safer.
 Least Safe activities have the highest risk of spreading STIs. High-risk activities include vaginal sex and anal sex
without using a barrier. Other less safe activities include sharing needles, exchanging sex for drugs or money, and
sex with someone who has an STI. Having an STI also increases your risk of getting other STIs.

Use Protection
Barriers prevent contact with blood or body fluids. Condoms, dental dams, and other barriers can lower the risk of STIs,
if you use them the whole time you’re having sex. The more often you use protection, the lower your risk of STIs.

Use dental dams or other latex barriers (like Lorals or a condom cut up the side and flattened) during oral sex on a
vulva or anus. Dams are small pieces of latex or polyurethane that you put on the outside of the vagina or anus. They
prevent passing of sexual fluids between you and your sex partner. But dental dams do not prevent pregnancy. For oral
sex on a penis, it is best to use an unlubricated condom.
Take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
PrEP is medicine that you can take to lower the risk of getting HIV. Your doctor or nurse can help you decide if PrEP is
right for you.

Be in control
Make a safer sex plan to protect yourself and your sex partner(s). This will make it easier to advocate for yourself and
make the choices that are best for you even in difficult situations.
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