Prevention
What You Need To Know
Preventing the transmission of STIs and HIV is about knowing the risks, and taking responsibility for minimising the risks through safer practices.
This can mean practising safer sex to reduce the risk of STI and HIV transmission, or safer injecting practices to reduce the risk of HIV or Hepatitis C transmission.
Practising safer sex is not just about using condoms. If you are sexually active, particularly with short–term partners, it is recommended that you get tested for STIs regularly. You can find an STI testing clinic near you here.
It’s important to consider also that alcohol and drug use can influence your ability to make responsible decisions about your sexual health.
There are many ways to reduce the risks:
- Consistent condom use, particularly when changing partners: Used correctly, condoms can prevent transmission of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Always use condoms correctly during anal, oral, and vaginal sex to reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV. You can find out where to access condoms at our Free Condoms and Lube Page.
- Regular testing: Maintaining a proactive approach to your sexual health involves regular testing for STIs, including HIV. By getting tested regularly, you ensure early detection of infections and enable prompt treatment. Accessing STI testing has become more convenient than ever before. Explore a range of testing options, including home testing, rapid testing, and in-clinic testing, by visiting our Testing Page. Stay informed, take control of your sexual health, and make testing a regular part of your well-being routine.
- Vaccinations: If you are a gay, bisexual or man who has sex with men (gbMSM), it is recommended by the National Immunisation Committee (NIAC) that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV (human papillomavirus) and mpox. Visit our Vaccines Page to find out more about vaccines and how to get them. To book your mpox vaccine visit the HSE mpox page here.
- Consider PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis): If you are at a higher risk of contracting HIV, consider discussing PrEP with your healthcare provider. PrEP is a medication that, when taken as prescribed, can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Learn more about PrEP and how to access it
- Consider PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis): PEP can prevent possible HIV infection if you have had condomless sex, or if a condom has split or slipped off and you do not know the HIV status of your sexual partner. If you are on PrEP and have missed doses, you might need to take PEP. PEP is a 28-day course of tablets that must be started within 72 hours (3 days and 3 nights) of the possible exposure to HIV. Learn more about PEP and where and how to access it.
- Open Communication and Disclosure: Openly communicate with your sexual partners about your sexual health and any potential STI risks. Practice mutual disclosure to ensure informed decision-making and promote a culture of trust and respect.
- Mental and emotional well-being: Take care of your mental and emotional health by seeking support when needed. Engage in self-care practices, maintain healthy relationships, and address any concerns that may impact your overall well-being. Visit our Mental Health and Wellbeing page for advice and a list of support services available to you.
- Safer Drug Use Practices: If you engage in drug use, prioritise your safety by never sharing any drug-related equipment. Refer to our section on Drugs and Alcohol which offers harm-reduction advice and tips and provides links to support services and other resources such as MPOWER’s Sex Part First Aid Guide
- Education and awareness: Stay informed about sexual health topics, including STIs, by accessing credible sources of information. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make informed decisions and protect your health. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest sexual health news, events, and resources. We provide valuable insights, tips, and reminders to help you stay on top of your sexual health.
Remember, sexual health is an ongoing journey, and it’s important to prioritise your well-being and that of your partners. Regular testing, open communication, and adopting preventive measures contribute to a safer and healthier sexual experience.
Condoms are really effective at preventing HIV & STIs, however, they’re not always 100% effective. Unfortunately, just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Many people carry sexual infections without knowing it. They can still pass them on and can still get ill from them in the future. Getting tested will give you the reassurance that you are taking care of your sexual health.
If something happened recently
Did the condom break, slip off or spill? Maybe you didn’t have a condom handy, or you were drunk or high and forgot. If it happened in the last 72 hours, check out information on PEP. Regardless of the reason and even if the guy says he hasn’t got any STIs – get tested for your own peace of mind.
If you develop symptoms
Not all STIs will give you symptoms but if you notice something different, get tested.
Symptoms of STIs include:
- Pain when urinating or ejaculating
- Discharge from penis or vagina
- Pain during sex
- Blisters or sores on genitals
- Itching
- Rash
- Bleeding during or after sex
It might not be an STI but best to check it over at a sexual health clinic.
Starting a new relationship
You should only stop using condoms, when you’re both sure that you are free of any STIs. Some sexual infections are harder to catch than others and can go undetected for longer periods, not all STIs have symptoms. The only way to be completely sure is for both of you to get tested.
When a person living with HIV is on treatment and the level of virus (viral load) in the body is so low that it cannot be detected (is ‘undetectable’), HIV cannot be transmitted to sexual partners. This is also known as ‘undetectable’ equals ‘untransmittable’ (U=U).
If a previous sex partner or sexual health clinic get in touch with you.
If a previous partner has tested positive for HIV or an STI, they might get in touch with you or have given your details to their sexual health service so they can get in touch on their behalf. Don’t panic – getting one of these calls doesn’t mean you definitely have something, but you should get tested just in case.
Depending on which clinic you attend some elements of the process might be different from one service to another. Below is a video of what to expect on a typical visit to the Gay Men’s Health Service for an HIV & STI screen when you have no symptoms:
Watch video here: https://youtu.be/9hWfB3uAPgk
Generally, you can expect the following:
Arriving
Some clinics need you to phone in advance to make an appointment. You can find out more information on your local sexual health clinic to check whether you can drop-in or need an appointment.
Try not to pass urine for at least an hour before going to the clinic as you’ll probably need to give a urine sample.
You will complete a form which will ask you some personal details and why you have attended today i.e. if you have symptoms or not. This is to ensure you go to the right person at the clinic.
Your information is kept in confidence. There may be times when confidentiality cannot be kept if they think you are at risk of harm. They will discuss this with you.
Having a chat about your sexual history
The doctor or nurse will ask you some questions about your sexual activity, experiences, and symptoms. Answer as honestly as you can so they can work out which tests to do and what treatment to offer.
Staff are very experienced and provide professional and non-judgemental care. There may be questions about things that might not be relevant to you, such as types of sex, drug use or whether you were paid/have paid for sex. Don’t be offended – everybody is asked these questions to make sure that they have the opportunity to talk about them if they do apply to them.
Getting Tested
There are several ways to test for an STI, depending on your symptoms and the type of sexual contact you’ve had. In more and more services you can take the test yourself.
Urine sample (you will take this yourself)
Blood sample
Swabs – taken from your genitals, throat and/or rectum. (In some services you might be able to take the swab yourself).
Taking a look – usually at your genitals. If you haven’t had any symptoms, you don’t usually need to be examined.
Results
Every clinic is different when it comes to results. When you get tested, the doctor or nurse will explain when and how you’ll get the results. You may have to go back to the clinic to get them, or you may be able to receive them by phone or text. The doctor or nurse will also tell you what will happen next.
What happens next?
If your test comes back negative – that’s it! You don’t have an STI. Your doctor or nurse will have explained to you about the window period for STIs and HIV and may encourage you to come back if you need to re-test.
If you test comes back positive – it is not the end of the world. Almost all STIs can now be cured or managed effectively, including HIV. Your nurse or doctor will give you all the information and advice you need about getting the right treatment.
Gay and Bisexual men
This free service is available to gay and bisexual men, men who have sex with men (gbMSM) including trans men and non-binary people.
For updates on STI clinics near you and how to contact them click HERE. If you experience any issues with online or email booking systems, please telephone the clinic.
The GMHS is currently taking bookings for asymptomatic testing. You can book an appointment here. If you experience any issues with online or email booking systems, please telephone the clinic.