First: follow the treatment plan for the specific infection.
CDC advises working with a healthcare provider to get the correct treatment. Some STIs can be cured with the right medication, and all STIs are treatable. Treatment differs by infection, so do not use someone else’s medication or assume one prescription covers everything.
What about recent partners?
Partner testing or treatment may be important so an infection is not passed back and forth. CDC recommends discussing partner notification and care with the clinician who diagnosed the infection. The exact time period and partner plan depend on the infection.
When can I have sex again?
That depends on the infection and treatment. CDC advises avoiding sex until you and your partner or partners have completed treatment when treatment is required. Follow the instructions you receive for the specific diagnosis.
Will I need another test later?
Sometimes. For example, CDC recommends retesting about three months after treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea because repeat infection is common. Other infections have different follow-up recommendations.
What if the result is HIV-positive or reactive?
HIV testing can involve confirmatory testing and linkage to HIV care. A reactive screening result is not something to interpret alone; follow the testing site’s next-step instructions promptly.
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This page is general education, not personal medical advice. Claims are checked against primary public-health sources. Get Tested PB does not invent clinician reviewers; if clinical review is ever added, the reviewer will be identified clearly.