Tell your partner if you have an STI

Telling your partner or ex-partner(s) you have an STI can be difficult.  You may have lost touch, or be scared, angry or embarrassed. But if you can tell your partner(s) yourself that’s great, it helps to get everyone tested quickly and treated if needs be. If not then don’t worry you can get the professionals to help.

Sexual health staff can contact people in a confidential way without mentioning you. With your permission they can arrange to send out contact slips that ask the person to go and see their GP or sexual health clinic.

It won’t give your name or say what the infection is. It just explains that they may have been exposed to an STI and that they should go for a check-up. If your partner(s) live in another town they can be contacted locally so that letters are not traced back to your area. 

Nobody can force you to tell your partner(s) about having an STI, but it is strongly recommended. Left untested and untreated, an infection can lead to serious illness including infertility for men and women.