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Learn about your diagnosis
 
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off."

Gloria Steinem
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Book a session with Michelle

Here at You and Me and HSV we're big believers that knowledge is the ultimate antidote to stigma and fear. 

 

Taking some time to learn about the realities of your diagnosis (understanding how it passes from person to person, what symptoms look like and how it can be managed) helps strip away the anxiety and puts you back in control. 

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We're here to provide the facts, without shame, so you can make informed choices, protect your peace of mind, and move forward with confidence. 

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HSV_1_edited.png

You and Me and HSV

A safe place to land after a STI diagnosis 

HSV_1_edited.png
HSV_1_edited.png

You and Me and HSV

A safe place to land after a STI diagnosis 

Learn about your diagnosis
 
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off."

Gloria Steinem

Here at You and Me and HSV we're big believers that knowledge is the ultimate antidote to stigma and fear. 

​

Taking some time to learn about the realities of your diagnosis (understanding how it passes from person to person, what symptoms look like and how it can be managed) helps strip away the anxiety and puts you back in control. 

​

We're here to provide the facts, without shame, so you can make informed choices, protect your peace of mind, and move forward with confidence. 

​

Common questions

    • Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) are simply infections (bacteria, viruses, or parasites) passed on through sexual contact.

    • You can also have other infections that are associated with sex, but they are not considered STIs like thrush.

  • Infections can easily pass from person to person during sexual contact.

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    ”Sex" means different things to everyone, and different infections transmit in different ways.

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    How they usually travel:

    • Genital Skin-to-Skin: Touching or rubbing your genitals on or around another person’s genitals (e.g. "dry humping”). Some STIs, like HPV and Herpes, can be passed through close contact with infected skin, even without the exchange of fluids.

    • Fluid Exchange: Fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and saliva can carry infections and can be passed on through oral sex (e.g. blowjobs, going “down on someone”, rimming), vaginal or front hole sex, anal sex and sharing injecting equipment.

    • Birth/Pregnancy: Some infections, like Hepatitis B, can be passed during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

    • Sharing Sex Toys: Sharing sex toys can transmit certain infections. This is why it’s important to ensure all sex toys are cleaned before and after you use them.

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    You are not going to catch an STI from:

    • Sharing a drink or sharing cutlery.

    • Toilet seats or door handles.

    • Holding hands or a quick hug.

    • Swimming in the same pool.

    • Sharing a bathroom or kitchen with someone

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    While it’s technically possible for some infections to move through close skin contact (like a cold sore from a kiss), for the most part, everyday human touch is safe.

  • It’s a bit of a cliché in sexual health, but it’s true: Most people with an STI have no symptoms at all. This is what we call being asymptomatic.

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    If your body does decide to give you a heads-up that something is different, it usually feels like:

    • A change in sensation: Itching, tingling, or a burning feeling in or around the genitals.

    • Painful urination: Stinging or burning when doing a wee.

    • A change in appearance: A new sore, bump, or blister.

    • A change in discharge: Something from the vagina, penis, or anus that looks or smells different than your usual.

    • Discomfort: A dull ache or pain in the pelvic area, the bottom, or the vagina during or after sex.

    • Rash: Usually genital, but some infections can cause rashes on other parts of the body too.

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    If you’re noticing any of these, don't panic. It’s just your body’s way of saying, "Hey, let’s get this checked out."

  • Depending on what the infection is you might need to have a sexual health checkup to see if you've been exposed. Lot's of infections, like chlamydia, are easy to test for and easy to treat with antibiotics.

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    If you know what infection they tested positive for then head over here to get some more info that's specific to that infection. 

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    If you don't know what infection they tested positive for then it's still a good idea to go and get a sexual health check, talk to your healthcare professional and they'll be able to go through the tests they can offer you. If possible, it's always better to try and find out the name of the infection before you go.

  • Getting tested for STIs is super easy! Usually it just involves doing a wee, or taking some swabs, and sometimes you'll also need a blood test. 

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    All capital cities in Aus have a free sexual heath clinic (even if you don't have medicare!).

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    • Your regular doctor or GP can also do sexual health testing 

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The boring, but important legal stuff

You and Me and HSV offers emotional support, education and general wellbeing guidance  concerning sexual health topics.

We are not a medical, psychological or psychiatric service and do  not provide diagnosis, treatment or prescriptions. Our service is not suitable for emergencies. For medical questions or symptoms, please consult a registered health professional.

If you are in crisis or at risk, call 000 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

You And Me And HSV acknowledges that nothing in these terms limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

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