STI Prevention & Treatment
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) consist of infections and conditions that are spread mainly or partially through sexual contact. STIs can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations.
Alexandria and Northern Virginia face high rates of STIs, especially syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV. Learn more about STI rates in Alexandria.
Talk, test, treat, and tell to helping stop the spread of STIs in our community.
Talk
Honest, respectful conversations with your partner or partners and providers are our first defense against STIs.
Talk with your partner before having sex
- When did you last get tested? Do you get tested routinely?
- Do you have STIs? Have you in the past?
- What sort of protection should we use? Do we both know how to use condoms?
- Do you have additional partners that may increase my risk for STIs?
- How does safe sex impact your consent, comfort and pleasure?
Asking these questions can be uncomfortable. Learn more about how to talk about STIs.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your sexual behaviors
Your provider may ask you:
- What are your current or recent sexual practices?
- Do you have sex with men, women, or both?
- In the past 12 months, how many sexual partners have you had?
- Do you have anal, oral, or vaginal sex?
- What are you doing to protect yourself from STIs?
- Do you have any questions about STIs? Would you like to get tested?
Uninsured or on Medicaid and need a provider? Contact alexhealth@vdh.virginia.gov or call 703.746.4996.
You may ask your provider:
- What actions can I take to have safer sex?
- Should I receive any vaccines or be on any medication like Prep?
- How regularly should I get screened for STIs?
- Can you help explain what STIs are?
Test
Testing is the only way to be sure whether you have an STI. Many STIs don’t have symptoms or may have confusing symptoms. You can learn more about STIs from the CDC. There are several options for STI screening in Alexandria. AHD services are available for AHD patients and people with symptoms.
- To make an appointment for confidential HIV testing, STI screening, immunizations, and treatment at Alexandria Health Department, call 703.746.4888. AHD will help you schedule an appointment or refer you to other options.
- Bring your insurance information to your appointment. If you do not have health insurance, you may be billed based on a sliding fee scale.
- You do not have to live in Virginia.
- Additional Alexandria STI Testing Options:
- Through your provider.
- NOVASalud (Free STI Screening, HIV Testing). Call 703.533.1858.
- Inova Juniper Program Gay Men’s Health Collaborative (STI Screening, HIV testing)
- For Alexandria Teenagers: To make an appointment at the Teen Wellness Center (parental consent not required), call 703.746.4776 or text “APPT” to 571.329.2245
To talk to a nurse about testing in Alexandria, call 703.746.4992. If you do test positive, treat and tell.
Treat
Talk to your provider or Alexandria Health Department about STI treatments. All STIs can be treated for symptoms, and most STIs are curable. The earlier you treat STIs, the better.
- For Alexandria Health Department STI treatment services, call 703.746.4992.
- AHD also offers DoxyPEP to transgender women and men who have sex with men.. DoxyPEP or post exposure prophylaxis is a medication you can take to prevent an STI if you recently had condomless with someone who has or may have an STI. If you think you’re at risk or don’t know your partner’s STI status, don’t wait. Call 703.746.4888 to get DoxyPEP within 3 days of having sex.
- HIV/AIDS requires special treatment. Some local providers for HIV/AIDS treatment include:
- Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. provides HIV medical treatment and related health services. Call 703.535.5568, ext. 3015 or email rwinfo@neighborhoodhealthva.org.
- Inova Juniper provides HIV medical treatment and related health services. Call 703-321-2600.
- ADAP - AIDS Drug Assistance Program helps individuals with medication to prevent or treat HIV. Call the statewide Medication Assistance Hotline at 1.855.362.0658.
- For more HIV/AIDS resources in Northern Virginia, visit the: NOVA Regional Commission HIV Services.
- Wondering how STIs are treated? Review information from the CDC.
Tell
Tell your partners to prevent your own reinfection and the spread of an STI to others. Here are some options of how and whom to tell:
- Your partner: If you feel safe and comfortable, talk to your partner yourself.
- Your provider: Providers can help your partner get informed.
- AHD: AHD can help you notify your partner. Confidentially report to AHD by calling 703.746.4849.
- TellYourPartner: This site allows you to anonymously alert your partners.
AHD STI Contacts
| STI Vaccination and Screening Appointments (Alexandria Health Department) | 703.746.4888 |
| STI Reporting (anonymous through Alexandria Health Department) | 703.746.4849 |
| Teen Wellness Center | 703.746.4776 |
| MPox (monkeypox) Vaccination, Testing, and Treatment | 703.746.4988 |