Do you have to tell someone you have STD?
William Jenkins
Updated on January 19, 2026
As a general rule, no, you do not have an obligation to tell your partner if you have a sexually transmitted disease. There aren’t any federal or state laws making it illegal for you to not tell a partner about an STD you may have.
Can you anonymously tell someone you have an STD?
You can also email or text someone through your personal account or anonymously using an online service. These services can help you alert past or current partners about which STI they may have been exposed to and provide information about that STI and where to get tested.
Do you have to tell someone you have chlamydia?
You need to tell your partners that they: may be at risk of having Chlamydia. need to get tested and treated for this infection by a doctor.
How do you have a STD conversation?
Here are some ideas for getting the conversation started:
- Just ask. Don’t beat around the bush.
- Get tested. Since it’s just as possible that you have an STD you aren’t aware of, get tested.
- Share your own history. Not everyone has a clean bill of health.
- Discuss prevention.
- Don’t place blame.
Is not disclosing an STD a crime?
Anyone infected with an STD is responsible for disclosing their condition to a sexual partner, no matter what kind of disease it is. It does not matter whether their partner became infected as a result of their contact, as engaging in any prohibited activity with an STD is a crime.
What are the signs of STD in a man?
Men may experience the following symptoms:
- Burning or itching in the penis.
- A drip (discharge) from the penis.
- Pain around pelvis.
- Sores, bumps or blisters on penis, anus, or mouth.
- Burning and pain with urine or with bowel movements.
- Having to go to the bathroom often.
What STD is not curable?
Currently, there are 4 sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) that are not curable: herpes (HSV), hepatitis B (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).
What STD can you get from kissing?
Although kissing is considered to be low-risk when compared to intercourse and oral sex, it’s possible for kissing to transmit CMV, herpes, and syphilis. CMV can be present in saliva, and herpes and syphilis can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, particularly at times when sores are present.
Does chlamydia have a smell?
You can get chlamydia in the cervix (opening to the womb), rectum, or throat. You may not notice any symptoms. But if you do have symptoms, you might notice: • An unusual discharge, with a strong smell, from your vagina. Discomfort when you urinate and when you have sex.
How did I get chlamydia if I didnt cheat?
Apart from being infected at birth you can not catch chlamydia without performing some form of sexual act. However, you don’t have to have penetrative sex to get infected, it is enough if your genitals come in contact with an infected person’s sexual fluids (for example if your genitals touch).
Do you have to tell your partner you have an STD?
If you have an STD, like herpes or HIV , treatments can lower the chance of passing the infection to your partner. If you or your partner have multiple sex partners, it’s important they all get tested and treated. If you think you’ve had an STD for a while, you need to let past sex partners know. They should get tested too.
When is the best time to tell someone you have a STD?
As mentioned above, the best time to have a conversation about STDs is before you start becoming intimate. This is especially true if either or both of you have had multiple partners in the past, since STDs are spread through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
Can a person not know if they have an STI?
Remember: getting tested for STIs isn’t about not trusting your partner or thinking they might have cheated on you. People can have an STI for years without knowing it since many don’t have symptoms. An STI screening is the only way to know for sure whether you or your partner have one. Believe it or not, STIs are quite common.
Do you feel alone if you have a STD?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect the body, but living with one can be a strain on a person’s emotions as well. If you have an STD, you might feel alone — but you’re not. STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs) are common. Luckily, many can be cured.