Getting diagnosed with an STD (sexually transmitted disease) may seem like a nightmare scenario to be put in. However, this diagnosis doesn't have to ruin your life forever. To respond appropriately, you need to take these actions.
Don't Fall Victim to a Stigma
When you think of having an STD, your initial response may be to feel embarrassed or ashamed. You shouldn't fall victim to this stigma because it can actually do more harm than good in terms of your recovery.
Instead, you need to take a healthy approach to your STD. Yes, it is severe and can have serious medical complications — but a lot of STDs today are completely manageable. As long as you take the right medications and get help from the right specialists, you can absolutely still live a great life with an STD. Alleviating this stigma is crucial in taking positive actions toward a healthier life.
Tell Previous Sexual Partners
If you're diagnosed with an STD and had unprotected sex with previous partners recently, then you need to let them know about your diagnosis. The sooner you do this, the sooner these partners can get checked out themselves to confirm or deny an STD diagnosis.
Then, if they're infected, they can take the same actions as you did so this STD doesn't continue to be spread around. Don't feel nervous about telling these previous partners either. Honesty is the best policy here. Just make sure you inform them in a subtle, respectable manner so that you don't send them into a frenzy or cause them unnecessary alarm.
Take the Right Antibiotics
So that you can better manage symptoms associated with your STD, you need to take certain antibiotics. To know which ones you need to take, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. They'll assess your STD and come up with the proper diagnosis and STD treatment plan.
They can then provide antibiotics that help combat the STD symptoms you're currently dealing with. Antibiotics generally work best for parasitic infections like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Once you're prescribed an antibiotic medication, it's important to take the right dosage at the correct intervals. Otherwise, you risk flare-ups that could have easily been avoided.
Once you're diagnosed with an STD, it's important to respond immediately by following the protocol as mentioned above. These actions will ensure your STD doesn't affect your life and those around you for years to come.
