Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

It's traumatic to find out you have an STI. You might be angry if you feel you've been betrayed, or ashamed if there's a chance you infected others. At worst, an STI can cause chronic illness and death, even with the best care in the world. Between those extremes is a host of other potential losses — trust between partners, plans to have children, and the joyful embrace of your sexuality and its expression.

Here's how you can cope:

  • Put blame on hold. Don't jump to the conclusion that your partner has been unfaithful to you. One (or both) of you may have been infected by a past partner.
  • Be candid with health care workers. Their job is not to judge you, but to stop STIs from spreading. Anything you tell them remains confidential.
  • Contact your health department. Although they may not have the staff and funds to offer comprehensive services, local health departments maintain STI programs that provide confidential testing, treatment and partner services.
Prevention
References
  1. Sexually transmitted infections: Overview. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/sexually-transmitted-infections.cfm. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  2. Sexually transmitted infections. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  3. Fortenberry JD. Sexually transmitted diseases: Overview of issues specific to adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  4. A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment and Sanitation for Backcountry & Travel Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/backcountry_water_treatment.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  5. Swygard H, et al. Screening for sexually transmitted infections. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  6. STD trends in the United States: 2010 national data for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/trends.htm. Accessed Nov. 23, 2012.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings. MMWR. 2006; 55;1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  8. Screening tests for women. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/screening-tests-and-vaccines/screening-tests-for-women/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  9. CDC fact sheet: Genital HPV infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  10.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  11. CDC fact sheet: Genital herpes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  12. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv-guidelines/0/. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  13. Partner services FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/partners/faq-public.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  14. Truvada approved to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV in people who are not infected with the virus. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/byaudience/forpatientadvocates/hivandaidsactivities/ucm312264.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  15. Condoms and STDs: Fact sheet for public health personnel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/latex.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2012.
  16. Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2012.
  17. Rizza SA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 4, 2012.
DS01123 Feb. 23, 2013

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