BY Lux Alptraum
April 15, 2008
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8 Comments

Over at Jezebel, the editors (or at least one of them) have put up a poll asking readers whether or not it’s necessary to inform one’s sexual partners about any STIs that may be lurking in one’s body.

We’re sort of shocked that this is even a question, but since it is, here are the official Boinkology guidelines for boinking with an STI. Oh, and while we’re at it — if you’re banging, it’s a good rule of thumb to assume that any new partners have diseases, and act accordingly. By which we mean, use a condom.

Onto the guidelines:

If you have something curable (crabs, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis)…
Once you’ve been diagnosed, inform any current or recent partners you may have infected (or who may have infected you), and encourage them to get tested and treated. After you’ve been treated and given the all clear by a doc, you’re off the hook — if there’s no risk of infection, there’s no reason to tell. (Please note: this does not mean you should go have unprotected sex two hours after taking your chlamydia meds. That shit takes time to work! You must get the all clear from the doctor before engaging in any sexual activity.)

If you have something incurable and potentially life-threatening (HIV)…
Tell your potential partner before things get hot and heavy — ideally, long before. Yes, using a condom can greatly (greatly) reduce the risk of transmission, and you can totally get your freak on without giving someone HIV. But — as with many awesome things — there’s still a very real risk, and your partner needs to be informed so that he or she can make an educated decision about what kind of risks they’re willing to take.

And yes, tell them before it’s getting all boneriffic. Nobody makes good decisions when they’re aroused.

If you have something incurable and not life-threatening (HPV, herpes)…
Yes, you still have to tell. Sure, HPV and herpes are both scarily common, and can still be transmitted even if a condom is used — but that doesn’t get you off the hook. You’re also not in the clear just because your warts have been treated or you haven’t had an outbreak in years. Yes, those things lessen the risk of transmission — but there’s still a risk, however slight, and you owe it to your partner to make them aware.

We also recommend telling them while your clothes are still on. It’ll be easier that way. Honestly.

[Photo by antibubbles]]