What to do if you think you have a sexually transmitted infection

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among sexually active people, and many cause no symptoms. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, HIV and hepatitis B can pass through vaginal, anal or oral sex; some can also pass from a pregnant parent to a baby. Symptoms cannot reliably identify an infection, so testing is the safest way to know.

If you notice unusual discharge, genital sores, itching, painful urination, a rash or flu-like symptoms, arrange an assessment rather than self-diagnosing online. Until then, avoid sex or use condoms consistently. Seek urgent care for severe pelvic or testicular pain, fever, eye redness with pain or vision changes, or a rapidly spreading rash.

A general practitioner (GP) or sexual health clinic can order the right tests and advise on treatment. In Australia, citizens and permanent residents are generally eligible for Medicare, although many GPs charge a gap and public clinics may also charge a fee. Overseas students without Medicare should check their overseas student health cover, including waiting periods and direct-billing rules, before booking.

Early care can prevent complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, nerve damage and transmission to a partner. Most bacterial STIs are curable, and viral infections can be managed. You do not need to disclose every detail of your sexual history, but relevant answers help the clinician choose the correct tests.

Recognise symptoms without self-diagnosing

Symptoms vary and may appear weeks or months after exposure. Possibilities include unusual genital or rectal discharge, burning during urination, ulcers, itching, pelvic pain, painful sex, swollen glands, and a rash on the body, palms or soles. Anal infections can cause pain, bleeding or discharge without genital symptoms.

Chlamydia often produces no symptoms, and gonorrhoea can resemble a urinary infection. Genital herpes usually causes painful blisters or ulcers, while early syphilis may appear as a single sore or widespread rash. A clinician must distinguish these from urinary infections, thrush, skin conditions and other causes.

If a condom broke, a partner was diagnosed, or you had sex with someone whose status you do not know, ask for testing even when you feel completely well. The timing matters because a very recent exposure may require different sampling or preventive medicine.

Arrange the right STI test

Testing usually involves urine samples, swabs from exposed sites and sometimes blood tests. A clinician may recommend genital, throat or rectal testing depending on the kinds of sex you have had, so describe the exposure accurately without relying on labels. Tests may cover chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B.

Some results become positive only after a window period, while others detect infection earlier. If you have recently been exposed, tell the clinician when it happened rather than accepting a negative result too quickly. They can arrange repeat testing or follow-up at the appropriate time.

Public sexual health clinics in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and other cities provide testing, and some offer walk-in or after-hours services. Appointment rules and fees vary, so check before travelling. A GP is another convenient option, but ask for a sexual health appointment if you prefer not to discuss the issue in a general consultation.

Treat the infection and prevent complications

Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis need prescribed antibiotics, while antiviral medicines can reduce genital herpes outbreaks and manage HIV. Take antibiotics exactly as directed, never share medicines, and wait until the clinician says it is safe to have sex. Partner treatment and repeat testing may be needed, including a later chlamydia test.

If HIV exposure may have occurred very recently, ask about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately. PEP must begin as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours, and public hospitals, emergency departments and sexual health clinics can assess eligibility. Urgent care is also needed for significant genital pain, fever, vomiting with pelvic or testicular pain, eye symptoms, or a rash accompanied by feeling very unwell.

Notify partners and protect confidentiality

A positive result can affect partners who do not know they were exposed. A clinician will advise which contacts to notify, often including partners from the previous 60 days, depending on the infection and individual risk. “Let Them Know” offers anonymous online notifications for some diagnoses, and a sexual health clinic can arrange a clinician-led call when direct contact is not safe.

In Australia, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV are notifiable diseases. Clinicians and laboratories report cases to the relevant state or territory health authority to support treatment and partner tracing; this does not mean your identity is announced publicly. Sexual health services handle results confidentially, and you can ask how records, consent to contact partners and recall messages are managed.

Consent rules differ across Australian states and territories, but consent must always be freely given, specific, informed and ongoing, and it can be withdrawn at any time. If sex involved pressure, threats, coercion or an inability to consent, tell a healthcare professional that you need support. A GP, hospital, sexual assault service or Aboriginal community-controlled health service can explain medical care and reporting options without judging you.

Reduce the chance of another STI

Condoms are available over the counter in supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and vending machines across Australia. Use an external or internal condom for vaginal or anal sex, put it on before any genital contact, and replace it after a break or when changing sites. Water-based lubricant can reduce friction and tearing, but it does not prevent infection.

Ask a GP or sexual health clinic about hepatitis B vaccination and the Australian HPV vaccination program. Eligible people can also receive subsidised oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme after an individual risk assessment. PrEP greatly reduces HIV transmission when taken as prescribed, but it does not protect against other STIs, and regular screening remains important.

The contraceptive pill requires a prescription in Australia, while emergency contraception is available from many pharmacies without one. These medicines prevent pregnancy rather than STIs. If you had sex without effective contraception, arrange pregnancy testing when appropriate and STI testing; the check for each infection depends on the sites exposed and the time since sex.

Find trusted campus and community support

University health centres, student association clinics, family planning clinics and public sexual health services can help with confidential testing and referral. In cities, booked appointments may be easier than walk-ins, while telehealth can support people in regional areas or overseas, although physical samples may still require collection. Bring identification, your Medicare or insurance details, and any exposure dates you remember.

University of Georgia students can contact the UGA Health Centre for confidential advice and referrals when arranging testing. For other students, a campus health service or interstate GP can advise where care continues without a break. A diagnosis is a health issue, not a moral judgement, and prompt treatment protects both you and anyone you may have exposed.