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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
How can I tell who I got an STI or STD from?
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I have genital herpes and i've had a number of sexual partners over the last few months, how do i know where i got it? Should i stop having sex until its under control? -
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Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile
It is not always possible to know who a person contracted an STI from, or when they contracted it. Some infections can remain hidden and asymptomatic for years. Herpes for example can remain dormant, or be so subtle that most people are unaware they have the infection. Herpes can sometimes reveal itself when the immune system is weakened such as during pregnancy or times of physical or emotional stress. For this reason it can be hard to know whether it is recently acquired or a recurrence.
As a result, it is usually not helpful to look to blame. Rather, when we become aware we have an infection, it is ideal to inform our most recent sexual partners, so they also have an opportunity to seek treatment if necessary.
It is appropriate to abstain from sex for the duration of an episode, and ideally from the first signs that you may be getting an episode.
Antiviral medication can be used in addition, to inhibit the virus multiplying at the surface of the skin, therefore reducing the amount of viral shedding. Some people may need to take this sort of medication episodically from the first signs of an episode, whereas others may require it daily to suppress more frequent or persistent episodes. This will reduce shedding during, as well as between episodes. Between episodes it is best to use condoms to reduce risk of transmission which occurs through skin to skin contact.
Kirsty
Women’s Health Educator
Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer
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