Anonymous Partner Notification

You get the results from your regular HIV and STI screening. This time it's different. You're informed a test came back positive. And while it's treatable, you realize someone passed on their infection. You get treatment at the local clinic and they ask if you have informed your recent partners. Maybe they didn't know. Heck, you had no idea. The staff explain this is called asymptomatic, meaning no symptoms appear. But you're not really sure who was source. That's the rub. You can't tell a specific person. And even if you knew who it might be, maybe they'll judge you. Sure, the staff explain that nearly everyone has exposures to all kinds of infectious diseases. But this is different. You're the one that has to tell them. And while it would have been nice to get a heads up before a routine test, now you're supposed to be the responsible one?

The clinic staff member sees you're not excited about telling someone they might have a STI. They tell you about a free, anonymous and confidential website to send a text message. This can help stop the spread and prevent the long term negative health effects of their STI, if they were infected. You think about it and know it's the right thing to do. But you're unhappy and embarrassed. The staff pulls up a website, showing how easy it is and it might be the best way to let others know to get tested. You think about it and decide to tell others. You enter their cell number into the site, pick the name of the infection, review the info, and confirm your phone number for authentication / harassment prevention. The website confirms it sent an anonymous text to the number you entered informing the recipient of a possible exposure and offers information to get tested. It was pretty quick and you feel a little better. Hopefully they will get tested.

Interesting story right? This could be any of us. Who wants to be the one to tell others they 'might' have been exposed to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Herpes, Syphilis, or HIV? Probably no one. And yet, wouldn't we want to be told to get checked just in case? Better safe than regret it later. This little story can happen to any of us. And the silver lining is that the Erie County HIV Task Force with the Erie County Department of Health has incorporated this free and confidential service into their website at ECHIV.ORG. Click on 'Anon Partner Notification' at the top and follow the prompts on the webpage. Tell your friends and partners even if there hasn't been an exposure. All of us can do our part to help the community know about options for testing and treatment which can limit exposure and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. If you would like to know more, contact Gary Snyder, HIV Disease Intervention Specialist at the Erie County Department of Health by phone at 814-451-6786, or email: gsnyder@eriecountypa.gov.