Viva Sexual Health

Yes. Your visit is a private conversation, and your health information is protected under federal privacy law. Results are shared with you, not with your employer or family. Some infections must be reported to the health department by law to protect public health, and your provider explains this if it applies. This program's pages do not use advertising trackers.

It depends on your symptoms, your partners, and the kind of sex you have. Testing may include a urine sample, swabs, or a blood draw for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis. These tests are coordinated with an outside laboratory. Many infections cause no symptoms at all, so regular testing matters. Your provider recommends tests based on national screening guidelines and your situation. A negative test on the day of a possible exposure does not rule the infection out. Your provider times any repeat tests.

PrEP lowers the chance of HIV for people whose exposure risk makes it appropriate. Discuss whether an outside PrEP evaluation is indicated. The qualified prescribing service determines testing and follow-up. Confirm acceptance, availability, location and cost; this page establishes no accepting partner or in-clinic prescribing service. A possible HIV exposure within the last 72 hours needs emergency assessment now rather than waiting for a PrEP visit.

Do not wait for a routine appointment. Post-exposure medicine, called PEP, must be started within 72 hours of an exposure, and sooner is better. Go to the nearest emergency room now and say that you need PEP. Afterward, you can follow up with your provider for testing and a prevention plan.

Your provider explains the result and infection-specific treatment, partner guidance, and repeat testing. Treatment timing depends on symptoms, exposure, exam findings, and reliable follow-up. Some presentations need treatment before results under clinical guidance; others can await testing. Do not start leftover medicines. Positive HIV tests or complex infections need an experienced outside service and an agreed handoff.

Vaccines help prevent some infections that spread through sex. The HPV vaccine is recommended through age 26 and may be considered up to age 45 after a conversation with your provider, and the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for most adults. Your provider reviews your records and arranges any vaccine you need, including through a pharmacy or the health department.