I was recently diagnosed with genital herpes. My partner says he got tested and that he was negative. Is he lying to me?

It is definitely possible that you have genital herpes and that your partner does not. Only your partner knows for sure if he is telling the truth, but here are some scenarios in which he could be correct about not having herpes when you do. One possibility is that you have had herpes for a long time and were just recently diagnosed. Many people with genital herpes are unaware that they are infected and find out when they get a positive blood test for herpes, or when they develop symptoms of an outbreak. It can be very hard to accurately determine when you contracted a herpes infection.

My doctor said that I tested positive for hepatitis C but that the virus is undetectable. What does this mean?

This means that you were infected with hepatitis C at some point but your body was able to clear (get rid of) the infection, and so you no longer have the virus. Unfortunately, if you are exposed to hepatitis C in the future, you can be re-infected.

Some people never clear hepatitis C and so the virus is still detectable in their blood. This means they are at risk for the complications of having hepatitis C, for instance iver damage, and that they can transmit it to others. Luckily there are well tolerated medications that can treat hepatitis C in as little as 8-12 weeks.

I just began a new relationship. We got tested for HIV together and are both negative. We want to be able to have sex without a condom. What else should be we be getting tested for?

Kudos for being so responsible and prepared. What tests you need really depends on your gender (that is, are you a man, woman, trans man, trans woman or something else?), the gender of your sex partner and what type of sex you're having. A medical provider can help you figure out what tests you need. Also if you are in a heterosexual relationship, you should talk with your partner and medical provider about pregnancy prevention (contraception). Many people are nervous about talking to their provider about sex. Here are some strategies:

My doctor told me I have Chlamydia, but I don't feel sick or have any symptoms. What's up with that?

Chlamydia infections are often asymptomatic, which means the infection is present but you feel fine. This is especially common for Chlamydia infection involving the rectum (butt), pharynx (throat) and cervix. Chlamydia can still cause problems, even when you feel ok. In women, it can cause inflammation in the reproductive tract that can lead to infertility and increase the risk for an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

I've been treated for Chlamydia but it keeps coming back. Why is this happening?

Chlamydia is usually curable with the correct treatment. Most persons who get repeat infections get them from untreated partners so its really important to make sure your partners are treated. Occasionally, the treatment for chlamydia is unsuccessful. If you test positive for chlamydia more than 21 days after you've been treated, and have not had sexual contact with anyone since treatment, talk to your provider about trying a different antibiotic treatment.

Is it possible for a person to clear their body of Chlamydia without treatment?

Yes, over time the immune system in some people can clear chlamydia infection, but most people need to take antibiotic medication to get rid of it. Untreated chlaymdia infection can cause serious health issues —such as sterility, pain, and pregnancy outside the womb. In addition, if you have chlaymdia, you can pass it on to your sex partners even if you don't have any symptoms. Getting re-infected with chlamydia after treatment is common, so be sure that your partners know about the infection and get treated too.

I don't have insurance but I really need an STI and HIV check-up. What should I do?

If you're in San Francisco, we offer STI and HIV testing at SF City Clinic whether or not you have insurance.  If you're not in San Francisco, you can click here to find a clinic near you: https://gettested.cdc.gov/. HIV tests are available over the counter at pharmacies, if you are able to pay. Visit our About You page to find out which STI tests you might need.
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