Telling your contacts

To protect your health and other people’s, it is a good idea to tell your recent sexual contacts so they can see a professional, get tested and be treated if needed, even with no symptoms. This lowers the risk of complications, of reinfection, and of passing it on without knowing.

While you are being treated (or while your partners are), avoid oral, vaginal and anal sex and contact with fluids or sores until the treatment is finished and a professional says so.

Recommendations vary by country. A professional will tell you who to notify and what period to consider.

And remember: there is no need to look for someone to blame. Many STIs have no symptoms, and it is not always possible to know when or from whom.