Think you were exposed to HIV? Start PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) right away, within 72 hours. Contact a health care provider, urgent care, or emergency room as soon as possible.

Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and there are many ways to protect yourself and your sex partners. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is also an STI, but it’s managed a little bit differently. There are effective treatments, prevention options, and specialized services and support in Vermont, including free and confidential testing. Anyone can get HIV, but some people have a higher risk. In Vermont, men who have sex with men and heterosexual women have a higher risk.

To prevent STIs:

  • Get vaccinated. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) are vaccine-preventable
  • Know and talk to your sex partners
  • Get tested regularly
  • Use condoms
  • Choosing not to have sex is one way to prevent STIs. Deciding if and when to be sexually active is a personal choice
  • To prevent HIV, take additional steps if you're at higher risk
Wondering about PrEP? PrEP is a medicine to take regularly before you're exposed to HIV, to help reduce your chances of getting it. Learn more about it and talk to your doctor to decide if PrEP is right for you.

How often to get tested:

  • How often you should get tested depends on your age, sexual activity, and other risk factors. 
  • You can get tested at your primary health care provider's office or Planned Parenthood. 
  • Testing for HIV: Everyone ages 13 to 64 years should be tested at least once, and people with certain risk factors should get tested more often.

Symptoms

  • Most STIs have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they vary by type of infection. Symptoms may include unusual discharge, pain when peeing or during sex, sores, blisters, warts, or rashes in the genital or anal area, itching or irritation, fever, or sore throat. 
  • Symptoms of HIV: When symptoms do occur, they can feel like the flu.

Learn more about these common STIs (CDC): Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Chlamydia Genital Herpes Gonorrhea HPV Syphilis Trichomoniasis

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is no cure for HIV. But with effective treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and provide protection to their partners.

HIV is passed from person to person through unprotected sex and sharing injection equipment and needles. Someone can also spread HIV to their baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

Symptoms

Some people with HIV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin 2–4 weeks after infection and may last a few days or several weeks. They may include fever, sore throat, rash, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, night sweats, mouth ulcers, chills, or fatigue.

Preventing HIV

Prevention steps like condom use, testing, and reducing your number of partners protect against both HIV and other STIs. However, there are additional tools available to protect yourself against HIV.

Choose to avoid certain sexual activities
  • You can get HIV through these bodily fluids: semen, vaginal or rectal fluids, blood, human milk, and pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum).  
  • You can't get HIV through spit, tears, sweat, hugging, and closed mouth kissing. You also can't get it from sharing dishes, shaking hands, sharing toilet seats, and through the air. There is little to no chance of getting HIV through oral sex. 
Use safer injection practices
Take HIV PrEP, a daily medicine to prevent HIV
  • PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) may be a good option if you have a higher chance of being exposed to HIV: you don't always use condoms, you recently had an STI, you have sexual partners who don't know their HIV status, or you have sex in an area where HIV is more common
  • It’s most effective when taken as prescribed, usually as a daily pill, and works best when used along with other prevention methods like condoms. 
  • You can get PrEP from most providers and don’t need to see a specialist.

Learn more about preventing HIV with PrEP (CDC) 

Ask about PEP if you think you may have recently been exposed
  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is medication you take after a possible exposure to HIV to help prevent infection. 
  • PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure and is only used in emergency situations. 
  • Talk to a health care provider right away if you may have been exposed to HIV through sex, sharing needles or injection equipment, or sexual assault. 
  • You can contact your provider, go to an urgent care clinic, or visit an emergency room. 

Learn more about preventing HIV with PEP (CDC)

Quick Tip

Not sure how to start the conversation? 

It can feel awkward to talk about sexual health with your partners or with your health care provider. But speaking up can help you make the best decisions for your situation. 

Get conversation tips

HIV Testing

Many HIV infections happen because people don't know they have HIV. Testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of HIV. 

Free and confidential HIV testing in non-medical settings

Some people may want to get tested in a setting other than a traditional health care provider’s office. The community organizations listed below offer free HIV testing in a safe and confidential environment. Call ahead to make an appointment, but some locations offer drop-in testing. 

You may also call the Health Department at 802-863-7240 or email Daniel Daltry, HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis Program Chief, to get a free, confidential, rapid HIV test. 

Organization Areas Served
AIDS Project of Southern Vermont – A regional AIDS service organization providing direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and HIV prevention services to those at most risk in southern VermontBennington County, southern Windsor County and Windham County  
HIV/HCV Resource Center – Provides direct services to support people affected by HIV, hepatitis C and substance useLebanon, NH (Serving Orange and Windsor County, VT; Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan County, NH)
Vermont CARES – Provides life-saving harm reduction services, education, and resources to Vermonters affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and substance use by increasing access to care, reducing social stigmas and building relationships
Berlin, Burlington, Rutland, St. Johnsbury 
Twin States Network – Provides peer support, wellness retreats, support groups and financial support to those living with HIVCaledonia County 

After you get your test results

If your result is positive: You’ll need a follow-up test to confirm. If confirmed, start HIV treatment and care as soon as possible. Treatment can help you stay healthy and prevent spreading HIV to others. The Vermont Department of Health will help get you connected to care and resources. 

People living with HIV should take medicine to treat HIV (anti-retroviral therapy or ART). HIV medicine reduces the amount of HIV in the body (viral load). This means you won’t spread HIV to your partners and will prevent you from developing AIDS. Learn more about treatment as prevention (CDC).

If your result is negative: You may need to test again after the “window period” if you were recently exposed. Continue taking steps to prevent HIV, consider going on PrEP, and get tested regularly if you have ongoing risk. 

NOTE: The message at the top of certain CDC web pages regarding what the federal administration calls "gender ideology" does not reflect the views of the Vermont Department of Health. The Health Department will continue to collect data and share guidance for people of all identities to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of all people in Vermont. 

Last Updated: