SEXUAL HEALTH

DISCUSSING CONDOM USE

Discussing condom use (or any sexual issue for that matter) can be extremely difficult. But talking about this issue ahead of time is crucial.

DO YOU & YOUR PARTNER(S) KNOW YOUR STATUS?

Discussing sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, can be extremely difficult. But talking about this issue ahead of time is crucial.

Get your facts straight on STIs, related risks and ways to prevent getting or spreading them.
Talk about STIs, including HIV, before having sex and to ideally discuss in person.
Expect your partner to get defensive about this subject but explain that you want to talk about STI to protect your health as well as theirs. Respect their concerns and opinions.
Consider suggesting getting tested with your partner before you have sex and frame it as a "ritual of modern dating."

PROTECT YOURSELF

Abstinence (not having sex) is the only 100% effective way to protect yourself. If you are having sex, you should get tested regularly and encourage partners to do the same.

Barrier methods are devices that serve as a physical barrier(s) between sperm & egg (pregnancy) and/or foreign pathogens (STD/STIs) when having sex. Examples include male & female condoms, dental dams, plastic wrap, diaphragm and cervical caps.

Male condoms, if used consistently and correctly, are 98% (Female condoms are 95%) effective for preventing unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use lube to make barrier method use feel better and reduce the chance that it will tear or break.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. PrEP can be pills or shots. There are two pills approved for use as PrEP: Truvada® and Descovy®. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.

People with HIV who keep an undetectable viral load (or stay virally suppressed) can live long, healthy lives. Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. If a person has an undetectable viral load, they will not transmit HIV to their partner through sex.

SEXUAL HEALTH RESOURCES

HIV testing ONLY is offered at GatorWell by appointment. Students can call, visit the main office or request appointments online.

HIV testing, as well as other STI testing (including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis), is available at the Student Health Care Center via their GYT Clinic (352-294-7582), Planned Parenthood of North Florida (352-377-0881) and at the Alachua County Health Department (352-334-7960). Depending on the site, pricing ranges from free to fees determined by a sliding scale fee or based on insurance.