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[1, 2, 3]
Informing Your Partner You Have Contracted an STD
Chapter 3
3. Pre-frame your dialogue. Say something like, "Sweetheart,
I have something very important to discuss with you. You may be
angry at first, but I know you are an understanding person and that
you'll hear me out before you react. I'm sure that in the end you'll
see that we can move past this together because we care about each
other too much to let this get between us." This type of preamble
serves many purposes. It sets a serious tone, uses a term of endearment
reaffirm your heretofore positive relationship, compliments your
partner on their understanding and commitment to the partnership
before they actually give it - significantly enhancing the chances
of that actually happening (also known as the assumptive close in
salesmanship), and informs them that you would like to finish what
you have to say in order for them to carefully consider it before
they react negatively, perhaps preventing a blow-up. You should
always plan your words with caution and an eye to what your partner's
most likely reaction may be.
4. If your partner is particularly volatile, you may want to inform
them in a quiet but public place - otherwise, it is always best
to do this in a private, familiar location. If you do not live together,
it is generally better to inform them in their home, as you may
leave if things go badly (instead of the difficult prospect of
you having to force them to leave your home) and they will be
more comfortable there and thus less prone to react as negatively.
If you have questions about a particular STD, your local health
department or family doctor will be able to provide you with a lot
of useful information. Read up on the particular STD that you may
have and see what implications it has for you and your partner.
In addition, there are various support groups available should you
find you are having trouble coping with the issue on your own. In
many countries, it is against the law to knowingly pass on a sexually
transmitted disease to another individual. It is often also illegal
to refrain from treatment once you have been diagnosed. So everyone,
remember to practice safe sex, inform your partner of an STD if
you find yourself infected, and seek treatment as soon as possible.
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