Become a Fenway Health patient
If you would like to become a Fenway Health patient, please call us at 617.927.6000.
Questions? Email information@fenwayhealth.org.
Ask the Docs
Ask the Docs is an online service of Fenway Health that allows gay and bisexual men and transgender people to get answers to questions about their medical, sexual and mental health. Ask the Docs a question now.
Living Well
The mission of Living Well is:
- To support a stronger community for gay and bisexual men and transgender people.
- To provide a safe, progressive, friendly and engaging platform to discuss issues at the center of our lives.
- To explore some of the most challenging personal and social issues in the age of HIV.
- To reclaim what is ours.
Learn more about Living Well and upcoming events here.
Information about HIV and other STDs
Below you will find links to information about a number of different sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. If you are a gay or bisexual man who is sexually active with multiple partners, consider getting HIV and STD testing on a regular basis. Talk with your doctor or call one of our friendly neighborhood counselors at 617.267.0159.
STDs can cause infections in the penis, anus, vagina and throat/mouth.
Some STDs are caused by bacteria:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- MRSA (drug-resistant staph)
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
- Chlamydia
Bacteria can usually be cured with antibiotic pills or shots.
Some STDs are caused by viruses:
- Herpes
- HPV (human papillomavirus which can
cause genital or anal warts) - Hepatitis A, B, C
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus—the
virus that causes AIDS)
Viruses usually can’t be cured. Your doctor might give you some medicine or other treatment that keeps you from getting sick or helps control your symptoms.
Public lice ("crabs") are parasitic insects found in the genital area of humans. Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite. Several lotions are available to treat either pubic lice or scabies.
Can STDs cause problems if I’m HIV positive?
Yes. STDs can increase the amount of HIV in your body as well as affect how well your treatment works to fight HIV. Having an STD also makes it easier to transmit HIV. If your partner is HIV negative, he’s more likely to acquire HIV infection if he has an STD.
How do I know if I have an STD?
Many STDs don’t have symptoms you can see or feel. Learn what is normal for your body. Some things that may not be normal are:
- Pain when you have sex or urinate
- Bumps or sores around your penis, anus, or mouth
- Discharge from your penis or anus
- Rash on your body
- Mucous in your feces
The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to have regular testing for STDs.
What are the tests like?
A doctor or nurse may take a sample of your blood and may swab your anus, throat/mouth, a rash/sore and they may ask you for a sample of urine.
Talk with your doctor or call the HIV and STD counseling line at 617.267.0159.
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Ask the Docs is an online service of Fenway Health that allows gay and bisexual men and transgender people to get answers to questions about their medical, sexual and mental health. Ask the Docs a question now. |
Fenway Health's HIV Counseling, Testing & Referrals Program
HIV counseling and testing isn’t just about getting tested. In fact, Fenway’s HIV Counseling, Testing & Referrals program is here for you if you just want to talk about sexual safety and support. Appointments are free and you don’t have to go through with the test if you’re not ready. Sometimes just talking to someone about these things can lend a lot of perspective. To make an appointment, call 617.267.0159.
Download brochures on safer sex:
- Safer Sex (PDF)
- Safer Sex for Bisexuals and Their Partners (PDF)
If you have immediate concerns about your health, please make an appointment to see your doctor or call Fenway's Medical Appointment Line at 617.927.6000. If you have a mental health concern, you can contact Fenway's Behavioral Health Department at 617.927.6202.
