Recommendations vary based on your situation: annually if sexually active with new or multiple partners, before starting a new sexual relationship, if you have symptoms, or if a partner tests positive. Many healthcare providers recommend testing after any unprotected sex with a new partner. If you have multiple partners or engage in higher-risk behaviors, consider testing every 3-6 months.

Many options offer confidential testing: Planned Parenthood and sexual health clinics provide confidential services, local health departments often offer low-cost testing, many college health centers provide student testing, some providers offer at-home test kits, and your regular healthcare provider can order testing. Most places serving minors have confidentiality policies—you can call ahead to ask about their policies.

First, don't panic. Many STIs are easily treatable. Follow your healthcare provider's treatment instructions completely, inform recent sexual partners so they can get tested (many health departments offer anonymous partner notification), complete all prescribed medication even if symptoms disappear, avoid sexual activity until treatment is complete and your provider says it's safe, and get retested if recommended to ensure the infection has cleared.

Most STIs don't spread through casual contact like kissing, sharing drinks, or using the same toilet. However, herpes can sometimes spread through kissing if cold sores are present, and theoretically, syphilis could spread through deep kissing if sores are in the mouth. The primary transmission routes for most STIs are sexual contact and blood exposure.

Condoms are highly effective against STIs that spread through bodily fluids (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea) when used consistently and correctly. For STIs that spread through skin-to-skin contact (HPV, herpes), condoms provide partial protection since they don't cover all potentially infected areas. Using condoms consistently remains one of the most effective STI prevention strategies available.