How do I know if I have an STI?

  • STIs

Many STIs don’t have symptoms people can see or feel. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV or an STI is to get tested regularly. Still, it is important to learn what is normal for your body or your partner’s body. Get things checked out when something changes, like a new or unusual discharge (yellow or white fluid) coming out of your penis or vagina. Things that may not be normal include:

  • Discharge from your penis or anus or vagina
  • Pain when you have sex or urinate
  • Bumps or sores around your penis, anus, vagina, or mouth
  • Pain in your testicles or lower abdomen
  • Rashes on your body

More FAQs

Are trans people at any increased risk for HIV or STIs?

The behaviors that put people at risk for HIV and STIs are the same for everyone, including trans people.

Can you get HIV or an STI by just being naked with another person and rubbing bodies together?

You cannot get HIV by rubbing your bodies together. You also cannot get HIV from toilet seats, kissing, or holding hands. However, by rubbing your bodies together you can get some STIs like crabs, scabies, and herpes.

Can I get HIV or an STI from oral sex?

People can get STIs by giving and receiving oral sex. Although there is a low rate of HIV transmission through oral sex, other STIs like gonorrhea and syphilis can be transmitted this way. If you perform a lot of oral sex (penis in your mouth), you may want to ask your doctor to do a throat swab for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Can I get tested for HIV and STIs in Rhode Island without a parent or guardian’s permission?

Yes. Rhode Island has laws that allow adolescents to get tested for HIV and STIs without permission from a parent or guardian. Your parents will not be notified that you have been tested or the results of the test by your doctor. However, if you are getting tested and use health insurance to pay for it that is under your parent’s name, the insurance company may send a notice to...

If I have HIV or an STI, do I have to tell my partner(s)?

While there is no current law in Rhode Island that says that you have to tell your partner(s) if you have an STI or HIV, not telling your partner(s) that they have been exposed  could cause immediate or future health problems for them and any other sex partners they may have. If your partner is pregnant, it could also cause harm to the unborn fetus. You could also get re-infected...

What should a person do if they recently tested positive for HIV?

When a person has a “reactive” result from a rapid (same day) HIV test, that person should get a blood test to confirm the result. If the confirmatory test is determined to be positive, that person should seek medical care from a doctor who specializes in the treatment of HIV.

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