What to Do If Your Friend Won’t Get Tested for an STI

Imagine you’re speaking with a close friend, perhaps as you normally would, and they reveal that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Then they tell you they won’t get tested.

This situation is much more common than you may think.

Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections in the Middle East is limited, and testing is not widely available. This is partly due to the religious conservatism of the region and the lack of data and research into the prevalence of STIs. As a result, many STIs move through the population unnoticed and untreated. It’s possible the number of STIs in the Middle East is much higher than one may assume.

If left untreated, an STI can lead to serious health complications in the carrier and can be spread through more sexual activity.

In this blog, we’ll cover what an STI is, the symptoms of an STI, how STIs can be contracted, and why some people find it hard to talk about STIs.

We’ll also cover some common objections to getting tested for STIs and how you can encourage your friend to get tested anyway.

What is an STI?

“STI” is an acronym that stands for sexually transmitted infection. STIs are primarily transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids during sex, such as semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and others.

Anyone can get an STI while engaging in unsafe sexual activity. It will take some time after the initial infection for symptoms to appear in the carrier.

This period – the time between the sexual encounter and when you might get a positive test result – is called the incubation period. Different STIs have different incubation periods.

What are the most common STIs?

If your friend is worried about what STIs they may have, you can come to them with a comprehensive list. The most common STIs are:

• HIV
• Syphilis
• Herpes 1&2
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Mycoplasma
• Trichomonas 

Click the links in the list above for more information on each STI.

What are the symptoms of an STI?

STIs can present with a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms of STIs include:

• Itching
• Unusual discharge from the penis, anus or vagina
• Pain upon urination
• Growths, lumps, blisters, warts or sores around the genitals or anus
• Rash
• Bleeding from the vagina or penis

Ask your friend if they have any of the above symptoms. If they do, you should encourage them to get tested.

However, the presence of symptoms doesn’t necessarily indicate the presence of the disease. You can have an STI and have no symptoms at all. You can also have some of the above symptoms and not have an STI.

You should get tested whenever you engage in risky sexual behavior, such as having unprotected sex or when having sex with a sexual partner whose history you’re not familiar with.

Why do people avoid getting tested for STIs?

Despite many advancements made by medical science, many people find it difficult to talk about contracting sexually transmitted infections. However, early detection is crucial for cures and effective treatment.

If a friend of yours has an STI, it’s important to understand what barriers they are up against that keep them from getting tested. Knowing what these barriers are will help you respond and advise them appropriately.

They don’t think they need a test

Not everyone will experience symptoms when they contract an STI. STIs like gonorrhoea and chlamydia often have no symptoms, and others take several weeks for symptoms to appear.

They don’t think STIs are serious

Some people don’t take STIs very seriously and hope that the infections will go away on their own.

This is not the case. Some STIs – like HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea – can cause infertility, organ failure, insanity, and, in some cases, death.

They’re scared of the answer

Some people like to think that not finding out the truth will protect them from harm. However, it’s always better to know. If you know the truth, you can face your situation with open eyes.

There’s a social stigma

Unfortunately, a social stigma still exists around getting an STI. It’s very common for people to fear a negative impact on their reputation if other people found out about what happened.

While these concerns are valid, STI testing clinics will not ask for personal information that could compromise the health, safety, or wellbeing of the patient. STI testing is safe, confidential, and non-judgmental.

The tests can be expensive

The cost of STI testing can be a significant barrier for many people, particularly those with lower incomes. However, the value of good health and quality healthcare is priceless.

Browse Better2Know’s range of STI tests and STI screens to see if there are any that may work for you or your loved ones.

Final thoughts

When someone we care about is struggling, it’s important to remain as supportive and non-judgmental as possible. Be there for your friend and offer whatever support you can. If you feel it’s appropriate, suggest that they get an STI test if they’re concerned.