So you’ve started dating someone and just before you get intimate with them you find out that they have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). What happens now?

There are several ways of dealing with a STI, depending on what type of STI it is, but the most important thing is to prevent yourself from infection and for your partner to get treatment. But let’s say that your partner does get treatment, what can you do in the meantime to be intimate with your partner while preventing infection? Here’s advice choma:

Find out more information

There are different types of STIs choma and it might be a good idea to learn more about the one your partner has. If your partner isn’t on treatment, encourage them to go to the nearest clinic because it’s important that they treat their STI as soon as possible. An untreated STI can have negative effects on their health and on your relationship. If you and your partner were intimate before you realized that they had an STI, it’s important that you get tested and treated too.

Don’t assume oral sex is safe

Some STIs, like gonorrhea and herpes, can be passed on with oral sex. So to reduce the risk of infection, rather not engage in oral sex chomas, especially when your partner has a physical signs of the STI on their genitals and/or mouth.

If you do engage in any sexual activity, make sure you know how to protect yourself. With some STIs that don’t necessarily show signs, you should use protection such as a condom or dental dam (especially for sex between a woman and a woman) in order to avoid the spread of an STI through oral sex.

Use protection but be extra cautious

You should always use a condom during sex to avoid contracting or spreading STIs choma. When someone has an STI outbreak, it’s possible for the fluid from their genitals or from the STI  to get around their genitals and come in contact with your mouth or genitals, increasing your risk of contracting the STI.

Delay having sex

The best option in this case would be to wait it out choma. Allow your partner to get treatment for their STI and to heal in the recommended time. If possible, visit the clinic with your partner so that you both can get advice from the healthcare professional on what to do going forward. Before getting intimate with your partner, wait for them to get re-tested to see if their treatment was effective. You should also be re-tested if your tested positive for an STI.

Don’t feel discouraged if you’re not able to be intimate with your partner for a while. There are lots of different ways to be affectionate that don’t involve sex but that still brings you closer as a couple.

Waiting is a much better option than risking getting the STI yourself choma. Rather be safe and take this opportunity to get to know your partner on an emotional level rather than just a physical one.