What should I do if I have an STD?
Sometimes a person may be too scared or embarrassed to ask for information or help. But, keep in mind most STDs are easy to treat. Early treatment of STDs is important. The quicker you seek treatment, the less likely the STD will cause you severe harm.
And the sooner you tell your sex partners about having an STD, the less likely they are to spread the disease to others (because they can get treated). For pregnant women, early treatment also reduces the chances of passing the STD to a baby.
Doctors, local health departments, and STD and family planning clinics have information about STDs. The American Social Health Association (ASHA) has free information and keeps lists of clinics and doctors who provide treatment for STDs. Call ASHA at (800) 227-8922. You can get information from the phone line without leaving your name.
If you have an STD or think you may have an STD:
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Get it treated right away. Studies suggest that having an STD increases your risk for getting infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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Follow your health care provider's orders and finish all the medicine that you are given. Even if the symptoms go away, you still need to finish all of the medicine.
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Avoid having any sexual activity while you are being treated for an STD.
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Be sure to tell your sexual partners, so they can be treated too.
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Get a follow-up test to make sure that the infection has been cured (for those STDs that can be cured; some are life long infections).
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If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor. Some medicines aren't safe to take when pregnant, and you may need a different drug to treat the STD.
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If you are breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the risk of passing the STD to your baby while breastfeeding.
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