Know your STI status every 3-6 months.

Condom sales might be on the rise in preventing the new STIs in America by the 2030s.

With all the changes in 2025 in Medicaid and Medicare, and the AIDS prevention funding cuts from the United States in Africa, and the CDC. The best way to have great sex and not be at risk for STIs is to buy lubricants, wear condoms, and use dental dams. This applies to everyone who is Heterosexual or a part of the LGBTQA+ community. Mutual masturbation, nipple play (learn how to suck like a pro or try paizuri as a safe sex practice.) A good hand job never gets out of style; it’s a safe bet to reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease.

If you do engage in any oral sex activity, know your status and your partner’s status. Go to your city for an STI screening together to test for Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Herpes because those STIs can be passed on even if oral sex is a low-risk activity. Remember, you have to request a blood test that tests for HIV and STIs because if you don’t, some health providers will test for other things and won’t give you those results when testing your sexual health. Look for an HIV/STI testing site in the city for an affordable or free examination.

Monkeypox has been on the rise in the USA since 2021. Make sure to test and get vaccinated if clinics still offer a free or affordable service to prevent the spread of Monkeypox.

What to do if your condom breaks and you are concerned you might get HIV? Ideally, within 24 hours after the potential exposure to sexual activity with someone with HIV. Immediately call your health provider, clinic, or medical facility to refer you to nPEP because you have an emergency and believe you have a possible high-risk exposure to HIV because your condom broke.

If you are under the age of 20, tell someone older you trust, like a friend or distant relative, to go with you and help make those calls. “Life happens, don’t be embarrassed, it can save your life and others by taking action.” If you are currently having condomless sexual relations, and don’t have access to Prep or insurance at this age. Go and buy condoms. If you are engaging in adult behavior, then be mindful to go and buy them at a Walgreens.”

Contact your local hospital or health clinic for guidance and assistance. Remember, everything is confidential, unless you are at risk to yourself or others.

Also, remember that if you interact with a social worker who you feel is prejudiced or is discriminating in any way, you can report them or ask for another expert if this is the case. In some states, it is policy for Clinic Counselors to switch off with their patients after a couple of sessions to prevent biases. If the medical professional/social worker is not the right fit for you, don’t be discouraged from going to a different place in the city that is more professional with better funding and resources.

Know your STI status every three to six months. Having a healthy sex life is everyone’s personal responsibility. Any information provided by those who are tested is voluntary, and you can refuse to provide information if you feel forced, are made to feel uncomfortable, profiled, or discriminated against. “You can give direct yes and no responses or say I am not comfortable disclosing that information because I don’t remember, like I said, this is what happened….”. In most cities in the USA, it is required for Counselors to trade off.

The only time the state is allowed to get thorough information is if you have tested positive for an STI or if you are a threat to yourself or others.

To those who have contracted a chronic virus unknowingly, get advice from your open health clinics in the city, and don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re receiving proper treatment. Ask everything about your health, your future sex life, your partners, and what your health professionals advise.

If you have an STI, it is still your responsibility to test for STIs; there have been cases of individuals getting the same virus twice, but in a different strain. #endthestigma #gettested

Reference links below.

https://aidsetc.org/resource/npep-myths-and-facts-flyer

https://cookcountyhealth.org/hiv-prevention/#tool-pep

nPEP pill

Sex and Consent

Sexual Communication & Consent

https://cookcountyhealth.org/hiv-prevention/

Your Rights as a Client

https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/hipaa/hipaa-violations-enforcement

https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-as-Professionals

https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Professional-Review/How-To-File-a-Complaint

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9172268/