Talk. Test. Treat. is a campaign that encourages individuals and healthcare providers to take three simple actions – Talk. Test. Treat. – to protect their health, the health of their partners, and that of their patients. The campaign reinforces that all STIs are preventable and treatable, and most are curable.
Talk. Test. Treat. includes graphics with STI care options outside of the traditional clinical setting. We encourage partners to promote their local options when using this campaign.
If you are sexually active, or thinking of becoming sexually active, it is important that you Talk. Test. Treat. to protect your health. These three small actions can have a big impact on your sexual health!
Talk openly and honestly to your partner(s) and your healthcare provider about sexual health and STIs. Talk with your partner(s) BEFORE having sex. Not sure how? We have tips to help you start the conversation. Make sure your discussion covers several important ways to make sex safer:
Talk with your healthcare provider about your sex life as it relates to your health. This helps your healthcare provider understand what STD tests you should be getting and how often. Here are a few questions you should expect and be prepared to answer honestly:
Not all medical checkups include STD testing, so don’t assume that you’ve been tested unless you discuss it with your provider. If your provider does not discuss sex or STI testing with you, bring it up.
Ask your healthcare provider whether certain vaccines, like the hepatitis B vaccine or the HPV vaccine are right for you.
Get tested. It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.
Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know. If you’re having sex, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.
Learn which tests CDC recommends for you. Even if you’re pregnant, you can still get an STI. If you’re having sex, you’re still at risk.
Find out what STI care options are available near you. In addition to traditional, in-person visits, other options that may be available include:
If you’re not comfortable talking with your regular healthcare provider about STIs, find a clinic near you that provides confidential testing that’s free or low cost.
If you test positive for an STI, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment.
Some STIs can be cured with the right medicine, and all STIs are treatable. Make sure your treatment works by doing these things:
Your healthcare provider can talk with you about which medications are right for you.
While the idea of Talk. Test. Treat. is simple, STI prevention and treatment are not one-size-fits-all. We encourage you, our nation’s healthcare providers, to revisit the many ways that you can empower your patients to take charge of their sexual health.
Make sure your patients are aware of the different ways they may be able to access critical STI care, during STI Awareness Week and beyond. In addition to traditional, in-person visits, other options include:
Providing the best medical care possible means talking to your patients about sexual health.
Taking a sexual history should be a part of routine care.
Talking about sexual health can be challenging, but studies show that patients want to be asked about sex. The following tips can help to ensure the most productive conversations with your patients:
Counsel your patients on safe sex, and ensure that they know about today’s many prevention options. With condoms, hepatitis B and HPV vaccines, and even a daily medication to prevent HIV infection – there have never been more ways for your patients to protect themselves.
Certain STI diagnoses can cause fear and anxiety in your patient.
Test your patients for STIs as recommended.
Use the sexual history to determine which STIs you should test for and the anatomical sites to testexternal icon.
STD screening recommendations for different patient populations are available. Below is a brief overview.
Keep in mind that screening recommendations are sources of clinical guidance, not prescriptive standards. Always consider a patient’s sexual history and the burden of disease in their community.
Once a patient has been tested, make sure they know how they will get their test results.
Follow CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines to ensure appropriate treatment and care.
The 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines are the most current recommendations for treating patients who have, or who are at risk for STDs.
Important treatment topics to be aware of:
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) may be an option in cases where a patient’s partner is unwilling or unable to access care.
Reinfection is common for some STIs. Encourage your patients to return for follow-up testing in three months.
Drug-resistant gonorrhea is an immediate public health threat requiring urgent and aggressive action.
Preserve our last treatment option by only treating your patients with the recommended treatment (ceftriaxone 500mg intramuscularly in a single dose).
These social media messages for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can help amplify STI prevention messages during STI Awareness Week. Select messages that align with your audiences and goals. Additional suggestions to keep in mind:
Day 1: Spread Awareness about STI Awareness Week and Talk. Test. Treat. Theme
Post 1:
#STIweek is here! Learn how these 3 steps can prevent #STIs: https://bit.ly/3YB2YO9 #TalkTestTreat
Post 2:
Spread the word: #STIs CAN be prevented if you #TalkTestTreat during #STIweek & all year long: https://bit.ly/3YB2YO9
Day 2: Encourage Talking, Testing, and Treating
English:
DYK? 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI. Know your #STI care options so you can continue to #TalkTestTreat. https://bit.ly/2VpxY3H #STIweek
English:
Wondering how you can protect yourself from STIs? It’s as simple as Talk. Test. Treat. https://bit.ly/2VpxY3H #TalkTestTreat #STIweek
Spanish/Español:
Las ITS pueden prevenirse si hablas, te haces pruebas y te tratas. Aprende más: https://bit.ly/2VpxY3H #TalkTestTreat #STIweek
English:
DYK? 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI. Know your #STI care options so you can continue to #TalkTestTreat. https://bit.ly/2VpxY3H #STIweek
Spanish/Español:
¡No tengas vergüenza de pedirle a tu proveedor de atención médica que te haga pruebas de #ITS! Encuentra un sitio de pruebas cercano: https://bit.ly/3YHvddJ #TalkTestTreat #STIweek
English:
DYK? 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI. Know your #STI care options so you can continue to #TalkTestTreat. https://bit.ly/2VpxY3H #STIweek
Spanish/Español:
¡No tengas vergüenza de pedirle a tu proveedor de atención médica que te haga pruebas de #ITS! Encuentra un sitio de pruebas cercano: https://bit.ly/3YHvddJ #TalkTestTreat #STIweek
Day 3: Share Local STI Testing Information
Post 1:
#STIs are at an all-time high and prevention is critical. The good news: there are many ways to get STI care! [Organization] is providing STI testing through [testing details]. [Contact information/URL]
Post 2:
For more than [#] years, [organization] has provided #STI testing and treatment. #TalkTestTreat this #STIweek in [State/County/City]! [details/link].
Post 3:
For more than [#] years, [organization] has provided #STI testing and treatment. #TalkTestTreat this #STIweek in [State/County/City]! [details/link].
Day 4: Promote STD Surveillance Report Numbers
2022 surveillance data underscores that STIs must be a public health priority. More than 2.5 million STI cases were reported in the U.S., with syphilis emerging as a unique public health challenge. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance #STIreport #STIweek
In [insert year], [organization’s state/county/city] had [number] cases of #chlamydia, #gonorrhea, and #syphilis. For #STIweek, know your testing options and #GYT. [Organization] is offering [testing strategy, dates, location]. [Contact information/organization URL].
More than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis in 2022, which was more than 10 times the number in 2012. The increase in newborn syphilis follows rising syphilis cases among women of reproductive age. Learn more about this 100% preventable infection: Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance #STIreport
Day 5: Share Resources with Clinicians
Post 1:
Clinicians: Protecting your patients’ health is as easy as #TalkTestTreat. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3sNIiCv #STIweek
Post 2:
Clinicians: Make #sexualhealth a standard part of your practice with these resources: https://bit.ly/3sNIiCv #TalkTestTreat #STIweek
Post 3:
Clinicians: Use #CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines to ensure the best treatment and care for patients: https://bit.ly/2UN7Z9J #TalkTestTreat #STIWeek
Content Source: CDC: STD Awareness Week
Content Source: Talk. Test. Treat. (cdc.gov)
Content Source: Sample Social Media - #TalkTestTreat (cdc.gov)