Follow the treatment instructions provided by your healthcare professional. Do not stop medication early or share prescriptions with another person. Ask when follow-up testing is needed and whether sexual partners should be evaluated.
Treatment can also help prevent complications and reduce transmission. For people living with HIV, effective treatment that maintains an undetectable viral load prevents sexual transmission of HIV. This is commonly summarized as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
10.
How to Reduce the Risk of STIs
No single measure prevents every STI, but several practical steps can lower the risk.
Use condoms correctly and consistently. They reduce the risk of many STIs, although infections transmitted through skin not covered by a condom may still spread.
Consider regular testing based on your sexual activity and individual risk.
Discuss sexual health and testing with partners before sexual contact.
Ask a healthcare professional about HPV and hepatitis B vaccination, which can prevent infections associated with certain health complications.
Avoid sexual contact when you or a partner has unexplained sores or symptoms until you have received appropriate medical advice.
Seek care promptly after a possible exposure rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
These steps are about protecting health, not judging anyone’s behavior. STI prevention works best when people can access accurate information, confidential testing, and treatment without fear or embarrassment.
