🆘 What To Do Now

Immediate guidance for urgent sexual health situations

You're not alone. You have options.

📞 Emergency Resources

🚨 Emergency (Life-Threatening)

911

Severe pain, uncontrollable bleeding, loss of consciousness

🏥 Sexual Health Clinics

Planned Parenthood

1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
Find local clinic: plannedparenthood.org

📞 Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

24/7 support for any crisis

🏳️‍🌈 LGBT Hotline

1-888-843-4564

M-F 1pm-9pm PT, Sat 9am-2pm PT

💊 PEP/PrEP Locator

locator.hiv.gov

Find nearby HIV prevention services

🆘 Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

RAINN 24/7 confidential support

🚨
Condom Broke
Get immediate guidance
⚠️
Unprotected Sex
What to do within 72 hours
💧
Unusual Symptoms
Discharge, bumps, pain
🧪
Positive Test
Next steps after diagnosis
🚨

Condom Broke During Sex

🔴 URGENT

⚡ Immediate Actions

  • Stop sexual activity immediately
  • Urinate and wash genital area with soap and water
  • Do NOT douche (can increase risk)

⏰ Act Within 72 Hours

Sooner is better - ideally within 24 hours

🏥 Get Care

  • 🏥 Go to emergency room, urgent care, or sexual health clinic
  • 💊 Ask about PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV prevention
  • 💊 Ask about Doxy-PEP for bacterial STI prevention
  • 🧪 Request baseline HIV and STI testing
  • 📅 Schedule follow-up testing in 2 weeks and 3 months

💡 Important Information

PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure to be effective. The sooner you start, the better it works. Doxy-PEP should be taken within 24-72 hours after sex.

🛡️ Prevention for Future

Check condom expiration dates, use adequate water or silicone-based lubricant, store condoms properly, and consider PrEP for ongoing protection.

⚠️

Had Unprotected Sex (No Condom)

🔴 URGENT

⚡ Immediate Actions

  • Don't panic - you have options
  • Wash genital area gently with soap and water
  • Note the date and time of exposure

⏰ Act Within 72 Hours for PEP

Most effective within 24 hours

🏥 Get Care

  • 🏥 Contact sexual health clinic, urgent care, or ER immediately
  • 💊 Ask about PEP (emergency HIV prevention)
  • 💊 Ask about Doxy-PEP (bacterial STI prevention)
  • 🧪 Get baseline HIV and STI testing
  • 📞 If partner's status is unknown, try to find out safely
  • 📅 Schedule follow-up testing at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months

💡 Important Information

Even if you think the risk was "low," get assessed. Healthcare providers can help you understand your specific risk level and what steps make sense for you.

🛡️ Prevention for Future

Talk to your doctor about PrEP (daily pill for HIV prevention). Keep condoms accessible. Practice safer sex communication. Get tested regularly.

💧

Unusual Discharge, Odor, or Irritation

🟡 IMPORTANT

⚡ What To Notice

  • Color: Yellow, green, gray, or white discharge
  • Texture: Thick, foamy, or cottage cheese-like
  • Smell: Fishy, foul, or unusual odor
  • Other: Itching, burning, redness, swelling

⏰ Get Tested Within 1-3 Days

🏥 Get Care

  • 🏥 Visit sexual health clinic, gynecologist, or urgent care
  • 🧪 Get tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis
  • 🧪 Bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infection testing
  • 💊 Get treatment once diagnosed - don't delay
  • 🚫 No sex until infection cleared
  • 📲 Notify recent partners so they can get tested

💡 Important Information

Many STIs are asymptomatic, so discharge is a serious sign. Don't self-diagnose or use over-the-counter treatments without getting tested first.

🔴

Bumps, Sores, or Blisters on Genitals

🔴 URGENT

⚡ Immediate Actions

  • Don't touch, pop, or scratch sores
  • Note appearance, size, and whether painful
  • Avoid sexual contact immediately
  • Take a photo for medical documentation (optional)

⏰ See Doctor Within 24-48 Hours

Get tested while sores are present

🏥 Get Care

  • 🏥 Visit sexual health clinic or doctor immediately
  • 🧪 Visual exam and swab test of sores
  • 🧪 Blood tests for herpes and syphilis
  • 💊 Start antiviral treatment if herpes suspected
  • 📲 Notify partners - they need to get checked
  • 🚫 No sexual contact until cleared by doctor

💡 Important Information

Painless sores can indicate syphilis (serious if untreated). Painful blisters often indicate herpes. Both are treatable, and early treatment prevents complications.

🧪

Just Got a Positive STI Test Result

🟡 IMPORTANT

⚡ First Steps

  • Take a deep breath - STIs are common and most are treatable
  • Read your results carefully and note which STI(s)
  • Avoid sexual contact until treated and cleared
  • Gather list of recent sexual partners (past 60-90 days)

🏥 Get Treatment

  • 💊 Start treatment immediately as prescribed
  • 💊 Complete ALL medication even if symptoms improve
  • 🧪 Get retested 3 months after treatment (reinfection is common)
  • 📲 Notify partners - they need testing and treatment too
  • 📚 Learn about your diagnosis to prevent reinfection
  • 🛡️ Use condoms consistently going forward

💡 Important Information

Curable STIs: Gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis - treated with antibiotics.
Manageable STIs: Herpes, HIV, HPV - not curable but highly manageable with treatment.

💬 Partner Notification

Your partners need to know so they can get tested and treated. Many clinics offer anonymous partner notification services if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself.

❤️

Just Got a Positive HIV Test Result

🟡 IMPORTANT

⚡ First Steps

  • Breathe - HIV is a manageable chronic condition with treatment
  • Confirm with follow-up testing if needed
  • Connect with HIV specialist or clinic immediately
  • Reach out to support resources - you're not alone

🏥 Start Care Immediately

  • 💊 Begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible
  • 🧪 Get baseline CD4 count and viral load tests
  • 📅 Establish regular medical care with HIV specialist
  • 💬 Connect with case manager for support services
  • 📲 Notify recent partners confidentially
  • 💰 Apply for ADAP or Ryan White programs if needed (free/low-cost treatment)

💡 U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable

With consistent treatment, you can achieve an undetectable viral load. This means you CANNOT transmit HIV to sexual partners. You can live a long, healthy life.

📞 HIV-Specific Resources

HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau: 1-800-448-0440
AIDS.gov: aids.gov
The Body: thebody.com
NMAC: nmac.org