Sexual Health
STI Testing & Treatment — Private, Judgment-Free Care
Getting tested is one of the most responsible things you can do for your health and your partners. A licensed provider can order testing, evaluate symptoms, prescribe treatment, and discuss prevention — privately, the same day.
Start a VisitAbout STI testing and treatment
🛡️ STI testing is routine healthcare — not something to be ashamed of
Sexually transmitted infections are extremely common. The CDC estimates that the United States sees tens of millions of new STI cases every year. Many occur in people with no symptoms at all — which is why routine testing is considered a standard part of preventive healthcare, not a sign that something has gone wrong.
The stigma around STIs is real, but it is not clinically justified. Most STIs are highly treatable, and many are curable. What creates complications — difficulty conceiving, chronic pain, long-term health consequences — is not the infection itself but delaying care. Getting tested, treated, and taking steps to prevent transmission is the responsible path, and it is one a licensed provider can help you take from wherever you are.
This page covers STI testing, treatment, and important prevention tools — including HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and doxyPEP (post-exposure prophylaxis for bacterial STIs) — all of which can be initiated or managed through a telehealth visit.
What we cover in this category
STI screening and testing orders (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, trichomoniasis, herpes), treatment for confirmed or likely bacterial and viral STIs, partner notification guidance, PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) initiation and ongoing management, and doxyPEP (post-exposure prophylaxis for bacterial STIs) for eligible patients.
🚨 Possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours? This is urgent.
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day medication regimen that may prevent HIV infection after a recent exposure — but it must be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Do not wait for routine STI test results. Seek urgent evaluation today through an emergency department, urgent care center, or sexual health clinic. A telehealth provider can discuss PEP and help coordinate urgent access, but PEP initiation often requires same-day in-person care.
⚠️ When to seek in-person or urgent care
Some situations require in-person or urgent care: possible HIV exposure within the last 72 hours (for HIV PEP — do not delay); pelvic or lower abdominal pain (possible pelvic inflammatory disease); testicular pain or swelling; fever or systemic illness; eye or neurologic symptoms alongside genital or rash symptoms; pregnancy with possible STI (requires prompt coordination with an obstetric or in-person healthcare professional); new genital warts; severe or painful genital ulcers where the diagnosis is unclear; suspected acute HIV infection; and recent sexual assault. After a sexual assault, urgent specialized care provides injury assessment, forensic services if desired, emergency contraception, STI prevention, and HIV PEP — contact RAINN (1-800-656-4673), a local sexual-assault response center, or an emergency department. You may seek care whether or not you choose to report the assault.
Infections we test and treat
📋 Common STIs — what they are and how they are handled
Different STIs have very different causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Here is what you need to know about the most common ones.
🦠 Chlamydia
The most commonly reported STI in the United States, and often completely asymptomatic — which is why routine screening is so important. When symptoms do occur, they include discharge, burning with urination, or pelvic discomfort. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is fully curable with antibiotics. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women, and epididymitis in men. NAAT testing from urine or a swab is the standard diagnostic approach. First-line treatment is doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days. Retesting approximately 3 months after treatment is recommended due to high reinfection rates.
🔬 Gonorrhea
Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, gonorrhea can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat — and can be asymptomatic at any of these sites. Genital symptoms may include discharge and painful urination. Pharyngeal (throat) and rectal infections are often asymptomatic. Ceftriaxone injection is the preferred CDC-recommended treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea. When ceftriaxone cannot be administered, a licensed provider may consider an alternative regimen based on the infection site, allergy history, pregnancy status, and current CDC guidance — oral alternatives are less reliable, particularly for throat infections, and are not the preferred treatment. If chlamydia has not been excluded, your provider may also recommend additional treatment. Test-of-cure for pharyngeal gonorrhea is recommended 7 to 14 days after treatment. Retesting at 3 months is advised due to high reinfection rates. Injectable treatment requires an in-person component; your provider will coordinate access.
🩸 Syphilis
Syphilis progresses through stages: primary (painless sore or chancre at the infection site), secondary (rash, flu-like symptoms), latent (no symptoms), and tertiary (serious organ damage). Cases of syphilis have risen significantly in recent years. Diagnosis is by blood test (RPR or VDRL titers), with confirmation testing. First-line treatment for primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis is benzathine penicillin G injection. Syphilis is a reportable condition in all U.S. states. Follow-up blood tests are used to monitor the expected change in antibody levels and assess for treatment response or possible reinfection — syphilis antibodies may remain detectable after successful treatment. The timing and staging of follow-up depends on the stage, HIV status, pregnancy, and other clinical factors. Later-stage or unknown-duration syphilis generally requires a different injection schedule; neurologic, eye, or ear symptoms require urgent in-person evaluation and specialized treatment. Penicillin is uniquely important during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. Treatment requires an injection administered in person — your provider will coordinate access.
🦠 Trichomoniasis
The most common non-viral STI, caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Often asymptomatic; when symptoms occur they include frothy yellow-green discharge, odor, itching, and burning with urination. Treatment differs by sex: for women, the recommended regimen is metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days; for men, metronidazole 2 g in a single oral dose. Both sexual partners must be treated simultaneously. Retesting 3 months after treatment is generally recommended. See also our Vaginal & Urinary Infections page.
🔵 Genital Herpes (HSV)
Caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Many people with herpes have no symptoms or very mild symptoms they do not recognize. When present, outbreaks typically appear as painful fluid-filled blisters that crust over into sores. Herpes is not curable, but antiviral medications significantly reduce outbreak frequency, severity, and transmission risk. Episodic treatment shortens recurrent outbreaks; daily suppressive therapy reduces both outbreaks and transmission risk. A provider may recognize a pattern consistent with herpes through telehealth, but a new or first outbreak should generally be confirmed with lesion testing when accessible — particularly if the appearance is atypical or syphilis has not been excluded. Ongoing suppressive therapy management is well-suited for telehealth.
🔴 HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a serious but highly manageable chronic condition when treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). People on effective ART can live long, healthy lives. People with HIV who take treatment and maintain viral suppression — defined as fewer than 200 copies/mL — do not sexually transmit HIV (Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U). U=U applies to sexual transmission and does not prevent other STIs. HIV testing is available as part of comprehensive STI screening. If a positive HIV result is identified during a telehealth evaluation, your provider will provide immediate counseling and link you to confirmatory evaluation and HIV care. MyPhysician360 does not provide ongoing HIV treatment through this service — a positive result requires prompt linkage to a clinician or program experienced in HIV care, which may include both in-person and telehealth services. For HIV prevention, see PEP and PrEP below.
🪲 Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis)
Commonly called "crabs," pubic lice are tiny parasites that live in coarse body hair, most often the pubic area. Symptoms include intense itching, visible insects or nits (eggs), and skin spots from feeding bites. Pubic lice can be identified by their characteristic presentation and treated with topical permethrin 1% cream rinse or pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide. Machine-wash and dry clothing, bedding, and towels used during the preceding several days using hot settings; items that cannot be washed can be sealed as directed by your provider. Sexual partners from the preceding month should be evaluated and treated. Household members need treatment only if infestation or relevant close contact is identified.
STI testing
🔬 Getting tested — what it involves and who should do it
Testing is the only way to know your STI status. Many STIs have no symptoms, and assuming you would know if you had one is one of the most common reasons infections go undetected and untreated. A provider can order the right tests for your situation based on your sexual history and risk factors.
Common STI tests that may be considered
| Test | What it screens for | Sample type |
|---|---|---|
| NAAT testing | Chlamydia and gonorrhea (from any anatomic site of exposure — urogenital, rectal, pharyngeal) | Urine sample or swab |
| HIV antigen/antibody test | HIV infection — standard screening approach for most patients. HIV RNA testing may also be needed after recent exposure, when acute HIV is suspected, or after recent PrEP or PEP use | Blood draw or fingerstick |
| Syphilis serology (RPR or VDRL) | Syphilis — with confirmatory testing if reactive | Blood draw |
| Trichomoniasis NAAT | Trichomonas vaginalis — particularly when vaginal discharge is present | Urine or vaginal swab |
| Herpes testing | HSV — PCR testing of an active lesion is the most accurate method. Blood antibody testing is not routinely recommended for asymptomatic individuals due to interpretation limitations and risk of harm from false-positive results. May be considered in selected circumstances after discussing its limitations with a provider. | Lesion swab (preferred during outbreak); blood in selected cases |
| Hepatitis B serology | Hepatitis B infection and immune status — particularly relevant before starting PrEP and for selected risk groups | Blood draw |
Who should get tested and how often
The CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for all sexually active women under 25, and for older women with new or multiple partners. Everyone ages 13 to 64 should have at least one HIV test, with repeat testing based on ongoing exposure risk. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) should generally receive STI screening at all anatomic sites of exposure at least annually, and every 3 to 6 months when ongoing risk is higher — such as when there are multiple or anonymous partners. Depending on age, pregnancy, vaccination history, and exposure risk, your provider may also recommend hepatitis C testing and discuss HPV, hepatitis A, or hepatitis B vaccination.
Home test kits and local labs
A telehealth provider can order lab testing through a local laboratory or help you access home test kits where available. If you are already using a home testing service, a telehealth visit is the right next step to review your results, discuss what they mean, and access treatment if needed. Your provider will guide you through the options available in your state.
Not sure what testing you need? A provider can review your history and order the right panel today.
Start a VisitSTI treatment
💊 Treatment — what works for each infection
Bacterial STIs are curable with the right antibiotic. Viral STIs like herpes and HIV are not curable but are highly manageable with ongoing medication. Getting treated promptly — and ensuring partners are tested and treated — is critical to preventing transmission and complications.
| Infection | First-line treatment approach | Important notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Oral doxycycline for 7 days (first-line) | Complete the full course; follow provider guidance on resuming sexual activity and ensure partners are tested and treated |
| Gonorrhea | Ceftriaxone injection — preferred CDC first-line treatment | Injection required; provider coordinates in-person access. Alternatives exist when ceftriaxone cannot be given — based on site, allergy, and current guidance. If chlamydia not excluded, additional treatment may be needed. |
| Syphilis (early stages) | Benzathine penicillin G injection | Injection required; schedule and dosing depend on stage. Penicillin is uniquely important in pregnancy; allergy alternatives exist. Later stages require different protocols. |
| Trichomoniasis (women) | Metronidazole twice daily for 7 days | Both partners should be evaluated and treated; follow provider guidance on timing of resuming sexual activity |
| Trichomoniasis (men) | Metronidazole single oral dose | Partner evaluation and treatment recommended; follow medication label instructions |
| Genital herpes (first episode) | Oral antiviral for 7–10 days (valacyclovir, acyclovir, or famciclovir) | Start as early as possible; first outbreak should ideally be confirmed with testing when accessible |
| Genital herpes (recurrent) | Short episodic antiviral course, or daily suppressive therapy | Daily suppressive therapy also reduces transmission risk to partners |
| Pubic lice | Permethrin 1% topical cream rinse | Retreat in 7–10 days if needed; wash bedding and clothing in hot water; sexual partners from preceding month should be evaluated |
⚠️ Important: gonorrhea and syphilis require injectable treatment
Both gonorrhea and syphilis are treated with intramuscular (IM) injections that must be administered in person — at a clinic, pharmacy, or other healthcare setting. A telehealth provider can coordinate this, but cannot administer it remotely. Your provider will guide you to the appropriate in-person setting. The evaluation, prescription, and coordination all happen through your telehealth visit.
Partner notification and treatment
When you are diagnosed with an STI, notifying recent sexual partners is an important part of stopping transmission. Your provider can advise on how to do this, including options for anonymous partner notification services. Partners may also need testing or treatment to prevent reinfection and further transmission — this is particularly important for trichomoniasis. STIs including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are reportable to public health authorities in most states; reporting is typically handled by the laboratory that processes the test.
Tested positive or concerned about exposure? A provider can discuss your results and next steps today.
Start a VisitUrgent HIV prevention
🚨 HIV PEP — Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an urgent 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that may prevent HIV infection after a possible recent exposure. Unlike PrEP (which is taken before ongoing exposure), PEP is taken after a potential exposure and must be started as soon as possible — ideally within hours, and no later than 72 hours. After 72 hours, PEP is not effective.
⚠️ PEP is time-sensitive — do not delay
If you had a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours — including sex with a partner of unknown or positive HIV status without barrier protection, or sharing injection equipment — seek in-person evaluation urgently at an emergency department, urgent care center, or sexual health clinic that can prescribe PEP the same day. A telehealth visit can help you understand your risk and coordinate access, but same-day in-person prescribing is often faster for PEP initiation. People who need PEP repeatedly may benefit from transitioning to PrEP for ongoing prevention.
PEP vs. PrEP vs. doxyPEP — understanding the difference
PrEP: taken consistently before potential HIV exposure to prevent HIV infection over time. Available as daily oral or periodic injectable medication. PEP: taken urgently within 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure. A 28-day course. Not for regular or ongoing use. DoxyPEP: taken within 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex to reduce the risk of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, syphilis, and possibly gonorrhea). Does not prevent HIV.
HIV prevention
🧬 PrEP — HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) includes oral and injectable medications that substantially reduce the chance of acquiring HIV when used as directed. Daily oral PrEP reduces the risk of HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. Injectable PrEP options are also available for eligible patients, though these require in-person administration. MyPhysician360 currently evaluates and manages selected oral PrEP options through telehealth; injectable PrEP requires coordination with an in-person clinic. PrEP is a proven, life-changing prevention tool appropriate for many sexually active adults.
Who PrEP is appropriate for
PrEP is appropriate for adults 18 and older who are sexually active with anal or vaginal sex, particularly those with an HIV-positive partner, inconsistent barrier use with partners of unknown HIV status, a recent STI diagnosis, or who are injection drug users. It is part of a comprehensive prevention approach that also includes condom use, regular STI screening, and other risk-reduction strategies.
What PrEP involves
- Initial evaluation and HIV testing Before starting PrEP, HIV-negative status must be confirmed with appropriate blood testing — a laboratory HIV antigen/antibody test is standard, though HIV RNA testing may also be needed when acute HIV is suspected or after recent PrEP or PEP use (oral rapid tests are not sufficient for this purpose). Lab work also includes STI screening, kidney function, hepatitis B serology, lipid profile, and pregnancy testing if applicable. Tell your provider about any recent fever, rash, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, or flu-like illness after a possible HIV exposure — PrEP may need to be delayed until HIV status is fully clarified.
- Prescription and ongoing monitoring Once HIV-negative status is confirmed and PrEP is clinically appropriate, a provider can prescribe it. Ongoing PrEP care includes regular HIV testing and medication-specific monitoring — the exact schedule depends on the PrEP option, kidney health, age, hepatitis status, STI risk, and other clinical factors. HIV testing is required at least every 3 months for daily oral PrEP, and prescriptions are typically issued for no more than 90-day supplies until the next HIV test. This ongoing care can be managed through telehealth.
- Important considerations PrEP is not appropriate when HIV infection is confirmed or when results are ambiguous pending further testing, or in the case of allergy to the medication components. Chronic hepatitis B infection does not automatically prevent PrEP use — in fact, certain oral PrEP medications also treat hepatitis B, so starting or stopping them requires careful medical supervision and monitoring to prevent hepatitis B flares. Prior PrEP or PEP use within the preceding months requires modified HIV testing protocols; your provider will explain what applies to your situation.
Interested in PrEP? A licensed provider can evaluate whether it is right for you and start the process today.
Start a VisitBacterial STI prevention
⚡ DoxyPEP — Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial STIs
DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) is a prevention strategy shown to substantially reduce the risk of chlamydia and syphilis in eligible patients, and may also reduce gonorrhea risk — although protection against gonorrhea is less consistent due to tetracycline resistance variation. A single 200 mg dose of doxycycline taken as soon as possible after oral, vaginal, or anal sex — within 72 hours — can meaningfully lower the risk of certain bacterial STIs in eligible patients.
Who CDC currently recommends discussing doxyPEP with
CDC recommends discussing doxyPEP with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who were diagnosed with syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea during the previous 12 months. A provider may discuss the uncertain benefits and risks with other patients based on individual circumstances, but evidence is more limited outside this recommended population. DoxyPEP is not currently recommended for cisgender women or heterosexual men. Eligibility is determined through shared decision-making based on your individual situation.
How doxyPEP works
- Dosing and timing Doxycycline 200 mg as a single dose, taken as soon as possible — and within 72 hours — after oral, vaginal, or anal sex. No more than 200 mg every 24 hours. Take with food and at least 8 ounces of water to reduce stomach upset and esophageal irritation. Do not lie down for at least one hour after taking it. Follow the medication-specific instructions about food, antacids, and supplements containing calcium, iron, or magnesium — specific guidance may vary by formulation. Sun protection is important while using doxycycline.
- Baseline and follow-up testing Before starting doxyPEP, STI testing (NAAT for chlamydia and gonorrhea, syphilis blood test, HIV test, hepatitis B screening) is performed. Follow-up STI testing at exposed anatomic sites every 3 to 6 months is recommended while using doxyPEP, along with reassessment of the ongoing need for prophylaxis at each visit.
- Contraindications DoxyPEP is not appropriate for those allergic to doxycycline or other tetracyclines, those already taking doxycycline for another condition, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or those with significant liver or kidney dysfunction or esophageal problems.
DoxyPEP is not a substitute for regular testing, condoms, or PrEP
DoxyPEP reduces the risk of certain bacterial STIs but does not prevent HIV, HPV, herpes, or hepatitis. It should be used as part of a comprehensive sexual health approach — including regular STI testing, condom use, and HIV PrEP when appropriate — not as a standalone strategy. The long-term effects of repeated doxycycline use on antimicrobial resistance and the body's microbiome are still being studied. DoxyPEP should be reassessed every 3 to 6 months as part of comprehensive sexual healthcare — it is not intended as a permanent strategy without regular evaluation.
Think doxyPEP might be right for you? A provider can assess your eligibility today.
Start a VisitHow online care can help
💻 STI care online — what telehealth can and cannot do
Telehealth is well-suited for most STI-related care — evaluation, testing orders, treatment for many infections, PrEP management, and doxyPEP. The main limitations are that injectable treatments (gonorrhea, syphilis) must be administered in person, PEP initiation often requires urgent same-day in-person access, and certain clinical situations require in-person evaluation. Your provider will always tell you clearly when that is the case.
| What telehealth STI care can do | What requires in-person or urgent care |
|---|---|
| Evaluate symptoms and sexual history | Injectable antibiotic administration (gonorrhea, syphilis) |
| Order STI testing through local labs or home test options | Pelvic examination for suspected PID or pelvic pain |
| Review and explain test results | HIV PEP initiation — urgent, often faster in person within 72 hours |
| Prescribe oral antibiotics for chlamydia, oral antivirals for herpes | Testicular pain or swelling |
| Coordinate in-person access for injectable gonorrhea/syphilis treatment | Genital warts (require in-person evaluation and treatment) |
| Initiate and manage oral PrEP (with required lab work at local lab) | Pregnancy with possible STI |
| Evaluate eligibility for and prescribe doxyPEP | Sexual assault (RAINN: 1-800-656-4673) |
| Advise on partner notification and contact tracing |
- 🔒 Confidential care. Your sexual health visit is handled as confidential medical information under applicable privacy laws. Information may be shared with laboratories, pharmacies, insurers, public health authorities, or other parties as permitted or required by law. STI reporting requirements vary by state.
- ⏰ Same-day appointments may be available. STI concerns rarely feel like they can wait. A licensed provider is available every day, 8am to 8pm ET.
- 🩺 A real clinical evaluation — not a symptom checker. Your provider takes a full sexual history, assesses your risk profile, and makes individualized recommendations based on your specific situation.
- 🏪 Prescriptions to your local pharmacy. Oral medications — doxycycline for chlamydia, antivirals for herpes, oral PrEP, doxyPEP — sent to your pharmacy when appropriate.
What to expect
🗓️ Your visit, start to finish
Here is what a sexual health visit looks like from the time you start to when you have a plan.
|
1
Share your history
Complete a confidential intake covering your symptoms (if any), your sexual history and recent exposures, prior STI history, current medications and allergies, and what brings you in today — whether that is testing, symptoms, treatment, PrEP, or doxyPEP. |
2
Speak with your provider
A licensed provider reviews your intake, asks follow-up questions, and assesses the most appropriate next steps for your situation. This is a real, nonjudgmental clinical conversation about your health. |
3
Get a plan
Your provider recommends the right testing panel, prescribes treatment if indicated, discusses partner management, and explains what to expect. For injectable treatments, they coordinate access to in-person administration. |
4
Follow up
Many STI situations require follow-up — test results to review, confirmation of treatment success, retesting at 3 months, or ongoing PrEP management. Your provider will make sure you know what comes next. |
When will symptoms improve?
Chlamydia: symptoms typically begin to improve within 1 to 2 weeks of completing treatment. Trichomoniasis: symptoms usually resolve within 5 to 7 days when both partners are treated. Gonorrhea: symptoms typically improve within a few days of ceftriaxone injection. Herpes (primary outbreak): antiviral treatment shortens duration and severity. For any STI, if symptoms are not improving as expected, follow up with your provider — resistant organisms or an incorrect diagnosis should be considered.
Prevention and sexual health
🌿 Protecting yourself and your partners
The most effective STI prevention combines consistent condom use, regular testing, vaccination where available, and prevention medications for those at higher risk. No single strategy is complete on its own — a layered approach works best.
🛡️ Condoms
Correct and consistent use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of most STIs transmitted through fluids. Condoms are less protective against STIs spread through skin-to-skin contact (herpes, HPV, syphilis chancres) but still provide meaningful risk reduction.
🧬 PrEP (HIV prevention)
Oral and injectable PrEP options substantially reduce HIV risk when used as directed. Daily oral PrEP reduces HIV risk from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. Appropriate for HIV-negative adults at ongoing risk of exposure. Requires regular lab monitoring.
⚡ DoxyPEP (bacterial STI prevention)
A 200 mg doxycycline dose taken as soon as possible within 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex substantially reduces the risk of chlamydia and syphilis, and may reduce gonorrhea risk. Recommended for MSM and transgender women diagnosed with a bacterial STI in the prior 12 months.
💉 Vaccination
HPV vaccine (Gardasil) prevents most strains of HPV that cause cancer and genital warts. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are also recommended for sexually active adults with risk factors. Ask your provider about vaccination status.
- →Get tested regularly — frequency depends on your age, anatomy, sexual practices, and exposure risk. Everyone ages 13 to 64 should have at least one HIV test; those with ongoing risk should test more frequently. Your provider can advise on the right schedule for you.
- →Know your HIV status and your partners' status when possible
- →If diagnosed, notify recent sexual partners — anonymous notification services are available and your provider can advise
- →Complete the full course of any prescribed antibiotic — stopping early, even if symptoms resolve, risks treatment failure and resistance
- →Follow infection-specific guidance from your provider about when sexual activity can safely resume — this generally includes completing treatment and allowing partners time to receive treatment
Care connected to your pharmacy
🏪 Your prescription. Your pharmacy. Your privacy.
Oral medications — doxycycline, antivirals for herpes, oral PrEP, doxyPEP — may be sent electronically to the pharmacy you already use when treatment is appropriate. Injectable treatments require in-person administration; your provider will coordinate access.
- ✓Oral STI medications sent electronically to your selected pharmacy when appropriate
- ✓Oral PrEP and doxyPEP managed through telehealth with required lab work at a local lab
- ✓Injectable treatments (gonorrhea, syphilis) coordinated in person through provider guidance
- ✓No required memberships to access our telehealth services
- ✓If we cannot treat you online, you will not be charged
Frequently asked questions
❓ STI testing and treatment — your questions answered
Honest answers to the questions providers hear most.
Can I get STI testing ordered through telehealth?
Yes. A licensed provider can order a comprehensive STI testing panel — including NAAT testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, HIV antigen/antibody testing, syphilis serology, trichomoniasis testing, and hepatitis B serology — through a telehealth visit. Testing is typically completed at a local laboratory or through home test kits where available. Your provider can review your results, explain what they mean, and discuss next steps — all through the same platform.
I have no symptoms. Should I still get tested?
Yes — in fact, routine testing is most important for people with no symptoms. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, and syphilis are all frequently asymptomatic. You can have any of these infections, unknowingly transmit them to partners, and develop complications over time — all without ever having a noticeable symptom. Regular testing is the only way to know your actual status. How often you should test depends on your sexual history and risk profile; your provider can advise on the right frequency for you.
Can I get chlamydia treatment prescribed online?
Yes. Chlamydia is treated with oral doxycycline — a prescription that can be evaluated and sent to your pharmacy through a telehealth visit. Complete the full 7-day course and follow your provider's guidance on when to resume sexual activity. Partners should also be tested and treated. If you are pregnant or have a doxycycline allergy, your provider will discuss alternative regimens.
Can I get gonorrhea treated online?
The evaluation, prescription, and coordination can be done through a telehealth visit, but the treatment itself — a ceftriaxone injection — must be administered in person. Ceftriaxone is the preferred CDC-recommended treatment; when it cannot be given, a provider may consider alternatives based on the infection site, allergy history, and current guidance, but oral options are less reliable, particularly for throat infections. Your provider will guide you to an in-person setting (such as a local clinic or pharmacy with injection services) for administration.
Can I get PrEP prescribed online?
Yes. Oral PrEP initiation and ongoing management are well-suited for telehealth. Before prescribing, a provider confirms HIV-negative status with appropriate blood testing, reviews kidney function and hepatitis B status, and takes a full sexual health history. Once confirmed eligible, PrEP can be prescribed — with follow-up lab work and prescription renewals managed through continued telehealth visits. Injectable PrEP options require in-person administration and coordination. If you have recently used PrEP or PEP, HIV testing protocols differ; your provider will explain what applies.
What is the difference between PEP, PrEP, and doxyPEP?
PrEP is taken consistently before potential HIV exposure to prevent HIV over time — as a daily oral or periodic injectable medication. PEP is taken urgently after a possible HIV exposure and must be started within 72 hours — it is a 28-day course, not for ongoing use. DoxyPEP is a single doxycycline dose taken within 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex to reduce the risk of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, syphilis, and possibly gonorrhea). It does not prevent HIV. Many people in higher-risk groups use both PrEP and doxyPEP together. Your provider can help determine what is right for you.
I just tested positive for an STI. What should I do right now?
A positive result is not cause for panic — most STIs are very treatable, and getting the result means you now have the information you need to protect your health and your partners. A telehealth visit is a good immediate next step: your provider will explain what the result means, discuss treatment options, advise on partner notification, and help you understand any follow-up testing needed. While waiting for your visit, avoid sexual contact to prevent transmission. If you are experiencing significant symptoms — fever, severe pelvic pain, testicular pain — seek in-person care promptly.
Will my STI test results or treatment be confidential?
Your visit and test results are handled as confidential medical information under applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA. However, certain STIs — including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia — are reportable conditions. When diagnosed, they are reported to public health authorities, typically by the laboratory that processes the test. This is required by law. Reporting and partner-services processes vary by jurisdiction. Information may be shared with laboratories, pharmacies, insurers, public health authorities, and other parties as permitted or required by law.
Can I get herpes treatment online?
Yes. Antiviral medications for genital herpes — valacyclovir, acyclovir, or famciclovir — can be prescribed through a telehealth visit for both primary outbreaks and ongoing suppressive therapy. A provider will evaluate your symptom history and help you decide between episodic treatment (taken at the start of each outbreak) and daily suppressive therapy (which reduces outbreak frequency and transmission risk). A new or first outbreak should ideally be confirmed with lesion testing when accessible — particularly if the appearance is atypical or syphilis has not been excluded.
Is this visit HSA or FSA eligible?
Yes. MyPhysician360 consultations are HSA and FSA eligible. Your visit cost is reimbursable through your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, making this accessible through your existing health benefits even without insurance.
Helpful resources
📚 Trusted sexual health resources
Authoritative information on STI prevention, testing, and treatment from leading public health organizations.
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🔬 STI guidelines CDC STI treatment guidelines — current clinical recommendations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Visit CDC STI Guidelines |
🧬 PrEP & PEP information PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention — who they are for and how they work HIV.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Visit HIV.gov |
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⚡ DoxyPEP guidance DoxyPEP — CDC guidance on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Visit CDC DoxyPEP page |
🛡️ Anonymous partner notification inSPOT — anonymous STI partner notification service National Coalition of STD Directors Visit inSPOT.org |
Your sexual health matters. Let's take care of it.
A licensed provider can evaluate your symptoms, order the right testing, prescribe treatment, and discuss prevention — privately, same day. No judgment. No required membership.
HSA & FSA eligible | No required membership | No charge if we can't help
Medical disclaimer & sources: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. STI diagnosis and treatment require clinical evaluation by a licensed provider. Not all STIs or clinical situations are appropriate for telehealth management alone — some require in-person examination, laboratory testing, or injectable treatment. Gonorrhea and syphilis require intramuscular antibiotic administration that cannot be performed remotely. Suspected acute HIV infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, testicular symptoms, pregnancy with possible STI, genital warts, or sexual assault require in-person evaluation. HIV PEP is time-sensitive and must be initiated within 72 hours; urgent in-person care is often the fastest path. Reportable STIs including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are reported to public health authorities by the treating laboratory as required by law. Reporting and partner-services requirements vary by state. Content informed by CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, CDC doxyPEP guidance, and HIV.gov. A licensed MyPhysician360 provider will review your complete health history before prescribing any medication. MyPhysician360 services are available in most states. Services are not currently available in Mississippi or Alaska.