The short answer
Telling a partner protects their health and stops the infection coming back to you. For a curable infection like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomonas or syphilis, recent partners need testing and treatment too. Keep it simple and factual, and if you cannot tell someone yourself, a doctor can help you plan how they are told.
Couples screen, ₦89,500Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Who needs to know
Usually anyone you have had sex with in the last two to three months for gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomonas, and longer for syphilis. Your doctor will tell you the right time span for your infection.
What to say
Choose a private moment and say it plainly: you have tested positive for an infection, it is common and treatable, and they should get tested and treated too. You do not need to explain how you got it. Most curable STIs cause no symptoms, so a partner who feels fine still needs a test.
Until you are both treated
Avoid sex until you have both finished treatment and the waiting time your doctor gives you has passed, usually a week. Otherwise the infection passes back and forth.
Common questions
What if telling my partner is not safe?
If you fear violence or harm, do not tell them yourself. Talk to your doctor, who can help you find a safe way and support.
Can I tell them without giving my name?
Some services send an anonymous message on your behalf. Ask your doctor, who can advise the safest way for your situation.
Can we test together?
Yes. The couples screen tests two people in one visit, with separate private results.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021: partner services. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021. Clinical guideline.
- Updated recommendations for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Treponema pallidum (syphilis). World Health Organization, 2024. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 24 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.