No, not all STIs are completely curable. But if they are caught early, they can usually be treated very effectively. But even if there is no cure, with the right treatment you can stop the progression of an STI, alleviate symptoms and prevent secondary damage. A visit to the doctor is essential for this. Because STI can have different signs and be caused by different pathogens. Only a doctor can say with certainty what is behind the symptoms and what needs to be done.
If I go to the urologist in my small town, it’ll be around in no time what I have…
The doctors are subject to strict confidentiality. Nobody will know about your problems. You can also contact your family doctor first. He can treat you and – if necessary – refer you to specialists.
If you think you’ve been infected through sex, how can you test if it’s true?
Swabs of the affected mucous membranes as well as urine or blood tests are possible, for example. So if you have noticed signs of an STI, you should definitely consult a doctor and get tested if necessary. In the event of symptoms, the costs for a test are usually covered by health insurance.
Can you also test yourself at home?
Home tests that are not sent to a lab can produce incorrect results. It is better to go to a doctor’s office. There, the personal risk can be assessed in order to clarify whether a test makes sense at all. It is also possible to discuss immediately what treatment should follow if the test result is positive.
What else can I do – besides putting on a condom – to avoid getting infected during sex?
Condoms already reduce the risk considerably, since they prevent contact with infectious body fluids, with infectious mucous membranes and sometimes also with infectious skin areas. In addition, one should not touch skin lesions on the other body. You can get vaccinated against some STIs. In order to receive special information about your individual protection, we recommend the Safer-Sex-Check at www.liebesleben.de.
I’m at the beginning of a relationship and I don’t want to come up with a condom right away. Does it really have to be the first time?
HIV and other STIs can also be transmitted the first time. Having a condom with you certainly won’t ruin the mood, but it can save the evening.
Advice hotline of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) for HIV and STI: Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., telephone 0221/892031.
Info material below www.bzga.de/infomaterialien/hivsti-praevention/
Internet: www.liebesleben.de BZgA website on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections