Resources
The authoritative external sources we trust and cite throughout the site. Use them to verify our claims, dig deeper into the research, find a test site, or get help paying for care.
Testing — where to get tested
Free or low-cost testing in the US, plus tools to find clinics near you.
GetTested (CDC) ↗
CDC's official locator. Enter a zip code, see free and low-cost testing sites for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis C near you.
Planned Parenthood ↗
Sliding-scale and free STI testing at 600+ health centers nationwide. Also accepts insurance.
NACCHO Health Department Directory ↗
Find your local health department for state-funded testing and treatment, often at low or no cost regardless of insurance status.
Greater Than HIV — Testing Sites ↗
Curated HIV testing locator with home-test ordering options.
Clinical guidance — what doctors follow
The official clinical guidelines used by US physicians. These are the references our guides cite.
CDC STI Treatment Guidelines ↗
The definitive US treatment guidelines for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, trichomoniasis, and more. Updated periodically.
CDC HIV Treatment Guidelines ↗
Federally-curated HIV antiretroviral, PrEP, PEP, and opportunistic-infection guidelines. The primary US reference.
WHO STI Guidelines ↗
World Health Organization guidance — often the reference for global / non-US contexts.
IUSTI European STI Guidelines ↗
International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections — European clinical guidelines, often slightly different from CDC.
Research — peer-reviewed studies
Where to find primary research when you want to read the source rather than a summary.
PubMed ↗
NIH's database of 35+ million peer-reviewed biomedical citations. Free to search; many full-text articles available.
ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Federal registry of every clinical trial in the US — vaccines, cure trials, new antivirals, all searchable by condition.
Cochrane Library ↗
Independent systematic reviews of medical research. The gold standard for "what does the evidence actually show?" on any specific treatment.
CDC MMWR ↗
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — where US surveillance data and outbreak investigations get published first.
Financial assistance — paying for care
Programs that reduce the cost of STI testing, antivirals, PrEP, HIV ART, and HPV vaccines.
Ready, Set, PrEP ↗
Free PrEP medication for uninsured Americans through the HHS program. No income requirement; covers Truvada and Descovy.
Patient Advocate Foundation ↗
Helps patients navigate co-pay assistance, insurance denials, and access to chronic disease medications including HIV ART.
NeedyMeds ↗
Database of patient-assistance programs for prescription drugs. Find brand-name antivirals at discounted prices.
CDC Vaccines for Children ↗
Federal program covering HPV vaccine for uninsured and underinsured children.
Support — community and mental health
When a diagnosis affects mental health, relationships, or identity, these resources help.
The Trevor Project ↗
24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Confidential text, chat, and phone lines.
POZ Magazine ↗
Long-running publication and community for people living with HIV — news, treatment updates, personal stories.
The American Sexual Health Association ↗
Patient-facing nonprofit with detailed condition guides, helplines, and educational programs.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) ↗
For STI-diagnosis-related anxiety, depression, or relationship distress — referrals to therapy and peer support.
Government and public-health
Top-level US public-health agencies whose data we cite throughout our guides.
CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ↗
US public-health agency. Surveillance data, treatment guidelines, and prevention resources for every STI.
NIH — National Institutes of Health ↗
Funds and conducts most US biomedical research. Source of trial data and condition-specific research portfolios.
HRSA Ryan White Program ↗
The federal HIV/AIDS care program providing services to over half a million Americans living with HIV. Eligibility, locator, and program details.
WHO — World Health Organization ↗
Global public-health agency. STI guidelines, regional epidemiology, and policy guidance.
Suggest a resource
See an authoritative source we should add? Or a broken link? Email [email protected]. We review suggestions and update this page monthly.
Want to see how we pick what to cite? Read our editorial standards.
