By: Annika Reitenga
April is STI Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promoting sexual health education. If you have recently been diagnosed with an STI, it's important to remember that you are not alone. STIs are very common, and many people who have them may not even know it. While receiving a diagnosis may feel overwhelming, it's crucial to take action and seek proper medical care. In this blog post, we'll discuss what to do if you've been diagnosed with an STI, including how to talk to your partner(s) about the diagnosis, treatment options, and steps you can take to prevent the spread of infection. Remember, with proper care and management, STIs can be treated and managed effectively.
First off, remember that you are not alone.
On any given day, about 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI (source). While the media and fear-based sex ed has often depicted STIs in an inaccurate or stigmatized way, the truth is that STIs are extremely common.
2. Words matter. Talk about yourself (and others) kindly.
Words such as “clean” and “dirty” give the inaccurate perception that people who test positive for an STI are somehow less hygienic than others. Terms like these also contribute to the unjust social stigma around STIs. Try to use phrases such as “tested positive” or “tested negative” when referencing your STI status.
3. Check in with medical professionals about your treatment options.
Remember: Many STI are curable and ALL STIs are treatable. STIs can be caused by bacteria, parasites, yeast, or viruses. Your treatment plan will depend, in part, on the source of the infection. Depending on the type of infection, you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic or antiviral. You can check out the CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 to learn more about treatment options. For some STIs, you might need a long-term treatment plan, so make sure that you check in with your doctor about the best plan for you.
4. Inform your recent partner(s) about your diagnosis.
This might feel hard but remember that STIs are incredibly common. You should not feel ashamed for caring about your sexual health and the sexual health of those around you.
Try to approach the conversation like how you might if you recently tested positive for COVID. You’d want to tell the people you were recently around about your positive test result so that they could consider getting their own test and refraining from social activities until they know their status. For some STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, your doctor might be able to give you medication for your partner too (this is called expedited partner therapy). There are also email or text services, like inSPOT and Don’t Spread It, where you can send someone an anonymous message that they may have been exposed to an STI and to get tested.
Before engaging in the “blame game,” remember that many people have STIs without knowing it. For example, most people with genital herpes are unaware that they have the infection (CDC). This is partially because the CDC does not recommend testing for herpes in routine STI screenings (Source). Most people with Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, are also unaware that they have the infection (Source). This means that, even if someone gets an annual screening for STIs, they might not know their herpes or HPV status, even though they can still spread the infection. Keep this information in mind when discussing your test results with your partner(s).
5. Take care of yourself, mentally and physically.
Due in part to poor sex education, cultural shame around sex, and social stigmas perpetrated through the media and popular discourse, there is still an unfair stigma around STIs. People might feel like they have “failed” if they test positive for an STI. However, the only way to completely prevent STIs is from abstaining from sex. While this is a great option for some individuals, it is not a feasible option for everyone. While using barrier methods such as condoms can reduce the risk of STIs, they are not 100% effective.
If you are feeling a lot of shame or sadness after a diagnosis, here are some tips:
Reframe your diagnosis: Try to think about your reaction to getting diagnosed with the flu, chickenpox, an ear infection, or COVID. Why does getting diagnosed with an STI have to be different? Infections are a common part of the human experience, and STIs are no different.
Find a community: For all the issues that social media can cause, it can also be an avenue for finding a positive (get it? 😉) community. There are several advocates on social media who share their experiences with an STI diagnosis and create destigmatized content on STIs. (For example, @sexelducation is a sex educator and writer who shares wonderful resources on her social media platforms!)
Rest and recover: As with any ailment, giving yourself time to rest is important for your healing. STIs can cause symptoms that are uncomfortable, so try to develop strategies that can help you relax as much as possible. Maybe taking a bath, napping, or taking over the counter painkillers could help alleviate symptoms. Remember to consult with your doctor on the best methods for you to speed up recovery.
About the Author: Annika Reitenga is a PhD student who studies rhetoric and health communications. She is specifically interested in studying social constructions of health and health stigma. Annika is currently working on a research project studying sex education curriculum in the American South. You can reach her at annika.reitenga@louisville.edu.