sti.careLearnBack to the app

Free STI guides

STI basics

Learn and share what to do. No judgment. One page each.

Find free testing near you

Plain guides from the team behind sti.care. Based on U.S. CDC guidance, not medical advice.

PEP, emergency HIV prevention72-hour window

If you might have been exposed to HIV, PEP can still prevent it, but only if you start within 72 hours. You don't need an alert to ask for it; go now if it's been recent.

Find PEP near me

Getting tested

The visit, the tests, and why feeling fine proves nothing.

Getting tested, what to expectThe whole visit, start to finish. It is quicker than you think.No symptoms is normalMost STIs show no signs. Testing is how you know.

Protection that works

Different tools, different jobs. Most people mix them.

Condoms, PrEP, and U=UThree real tools, different jobs. Not a ranking.How to use condoms so they workMost failures are use mistakes. The fixes are easy.PrEP, medicine that prevents HIVA daily pill or a shot every two months. Often free.Vaccines that prevent STIsHPV, hepatitis A and B, mpox. Free or low cost at many clinics.

Talking about it

Short scripts for the conversations that feel big.

Talking before sexProtection, status, and consent. Shorter talks than you think.How to tell a partnerA short, plain message does the job.

If you test positive

A result is a next step, not a verdict.

Undetectable = UntransmittableA made-to-share card. Good news, no stigma.Living with herpes or HPVExtremely common, very manageable, not a verdict.

Ways to lower HIV risk

These are different tools, not a ranking, many people use more than one.

  • Condoms, Lower the chance of HIV and many other STIs, and prevent pregnancy.
  • PrEP, A daily pill (or a shot) that prevents HIV when taken as prescribed. HIV-only.
  • U=U, Someone living with HIV who's undetectable on treatment can't pass it on through sex.

Vaccines and screening

Free or low-cost at many clinics, and good for everyone, whatever your status.

  • HPV vaccine, Protects against the HPV types that cause most warts and, rarely, cancers. You can get it up to age 45.
  • Cervical and anal screening, Routine checks catch changes early. Ask a clinic which screening is right for you.
Find a clinic near me

When to see a clinician

Clinics handle this every day. No lecture, no judgment.

  • You have symptoms, Sores, discharge, or burning. Most are easy to treat.
  • A partner tested positive, Get tested too, even if you feel fine. Many STIs show no signs.
  • You may have been exposed to HIV, Ask about PEP right away. It works best within 72 hours.

Getting tested is quick, and many clinics are free or low-cost. If you test positive, treatment usually starts the same day.

Find free testing near you

Opens a map of clinics close to you

Or see the official CDC testing list

This is general info. A clinic or doctor can tell you what is right for you.