STI Frequently Asked Questions
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infections, which can be passed from one person to another, usually during sex or intimate contact. STI's can cause infertility, birth defects if you are pregnant, cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
We recommend 7 – 10 days after exposure for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Others vary with each STI and individual. Call 269-373-5203 for further questions or information.
Most STI's are treatable and curable. ALL are preventable. Early treatment is the next best thing to never getting a STI. Not being treated can be fatal.
- Choosing not to have anal, oral or vaginal sex (abstinence) is the best way to protect yourself.
- Use condoms or other barrier methods every time you have sex.
- Learn about STI's and how they are spread.
- Talk to your partners about safe sex practices.
- Limit the number of partners you have sex with. This decreases your risk of exposure.
- Don't combine sex, drugs and alcohol.
- Avoid situations that may increase your risk of exposure.
- Do not share needles or syringes for drugs. Do not share needles or inks for tattoos and/or body piercings.
- If you have had unsafe sex - get tested!
Yes. women who are pregnant can become infected with the same STI's as women who are not pregnant. Because the consequences of an STI can be significantly more serious, even life-threatening, for a woman and her baby if the woman becomes infected with an STI while pregnant, it is important that women be aware of the harmful effects of STIs and know how to protect themselves and their children against infection. More information on STI's and pregnancy.
Additional resources and information can be found on the Information & Resources page and on the STI Tool Kit.
HIV Frequently Asked Questions
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the immune system, damaging white blood cells (T-cells). Eventually the body is no longer able to fight off diseases it could before. Most people who contract HIV eventually progress to AIDS. Situations that can activate the virus are re-exposure to the virus, poor diet, alcohol/drug misuse, excessive stress, other infections, and trauma (surgeries, accidents, etc.)
A person may have no symptoms for 11 years or more after being infected. During this time, the person can unknowingly pass the virus to others as early as 8 hours after being infected. When symptoms begin, they may include rapid and extreme weight loss, excessive tiredness, lack of appetite, profound diarrhea, fever, swollen glands, severe night sweats and unexplained rash or purplish blotches on the skin.
Court ordered testing requires an appointment. Call 269-373-5203.
No, HIV is not spread through saliva. Four body fluids that can carry the HIV virus are blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
No, you cannot get HIV from toilet seats. Also, you cannot get HIV from:
- Swimming pools, public showers or bathrooms
- Drinking fountains
- Being in the same room with someone who has HIV or AIDS
- Donating blood
- Touching, hugging, dry kissing
Yes, the HIV virus can be spread from mother to baby through breast milk. The other ways of getting the HIV virus are through unprotected sex – oral, anal, and vaginal, and/or by sharing needles.
- You may choose not to have sex.
- Have sex with only one low-risk person who only has sex with you.
- Know your partner well enough to know they do not engage in activities that may expose them to the virus.
- Limit your number of sexual partners.
- Always use latex or plastic condoms with a water-based lubricant.
- Do not share injection drug equipment (works), tattooing equipment piercing equipment, razors or toothbrushes.
- Clean your injection drug equipment (works) with bleach and water.
- Use condoms and dental dams for oral sex.
No. You DO need to tell your sex or needle sharing partner(s) before having sex or sharing needles
NO! The person who talks about another person's HIV status is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment of not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $5,000 or both and is liable in a civil action for actual damages or $1,000 plus court costs and attorney fees.
Also, a person cannot ask about another person's HIV status without written permission from the person they are asking about.
Michigan law states that HIV test information and other health information may not be given to anyone else without written approval. Information will not be shared with anyone unless you say it is okay (in writing), except when the law says it is necessary to share the information with someone who needs to know. Information may be disclosed in summary, statistical, or other form, which does not directly or indirectly identify individuals.
If you have concerns regarding confidentiality you may contact the AIDS Legal Coalition of Michigan at 313-964-4188.
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