{"id":480,"date":"2016-01-21T13:28:29","date_gmt":"2016-01-21T13:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/?page_id=480"},"modified":"2025-04-23T17:59:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T17:59:50","slug":"partner-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Partner Services"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-480\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-480-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-480-0\" ><div id=\"pgc-480-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-480-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\"><h1>Partner Services Basics<\/h1><\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>If you are diagnosed with HIV or certain sexually transmitted diseases, <em>Partner Services<\/em> is a process by which your sex and\/or needle sharing partners are notified that they may have been exposed to an infection and need to be tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-480-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-480-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-480-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\"><h1>Types of Partner Services<\/h1><\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-10834\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a phone screen receiving a phone call\" width=\"433\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" \/>Anonymous Third-Party Notification<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>This is when a professional health counselor notifies your partners. You provide identifying and locating information only. Your name and identity are never shared with your partners. Most people choose this method as it is the <b>only method that provides anonymity.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Dual Disclosure <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dual disclosure is when you notify your partner in the presence of and with the assistance of a counselor. The counselor supports you during the process and can answer questions from your partner.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Self-Disclosure<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Self-disclosure is when you notify your partners and bring them in or encourage them to come in for testing and treatment. A counselor will help you plan and practice what you are going to say. If your partners don\u2019t come in for services, however, you will be asked to identify them so the health department can contact them. Some people prefer self-disclosure; however, it does not protect your identity, and you have to deal with the possible negative reactions from your partners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-480-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-480-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-480-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-480-2-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\"><h1>Got a text saying you may have been exposed to an STI or HIV?<\/h1><\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Did you get a text saying you should get tested for HIV or other STDs from a blocked number?\u00a0 Or from a phone number that doesn\u2019t accept text replies or calls back?\u00a0 The HIV and STD programs at VDH do not send text messages like that.\u00a0 There are other websites and apps that do.\u00a0 To remain anonymous, sometimes a person may use a text service to let a partner know they need to get tested.<\/p>\n<p>If you get a text like that and think you might be at risk, it\u2019s a good idea to see your doctor or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\">go to your local health department<\/a> for testing.\u00a0 The only way to know for sure if you have HIV or another STD is by getting tested.\u00a0 Many times, STDs show no signs or symptoms, or they are mistaken for something else.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-480-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-480-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-480-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-a39c6080554f-480\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\"><h1>Frequently Asked Questions\/FAQs<\/h1><\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"does-partner-services-have-another-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-does-partner-services-have-another-name\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-does-partner-services-have-another-name\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes Partner Services have another name?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-does-partner-services-have-another-name\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-does-partner-services-have-another-name\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes. You may have heard it called Partner Notification, Contact Tracing, or Disclosure Assistance Services. There are materials available that address \u201cDisclosure Assistance Services\u201d or Partner Services. Poster may be obtained to display in clinic settings and medical providers\u2019 offices, and postcards are available for clients to share with partners and colleagues.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"there-are-virginia-laws-making-it-a-crime-to-transmit-some-diseases-how-do-i-know-my-information-wont-be-turned-over-to-the-police\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-there-are-virginia-laws-making-it-a-crime-to-transmit-some-diseases-how-do-i-know-my-information-won%e2%80%99t-be-turned-over-to-the-police\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-there-are-virginia-laws-making-it-a-crime-to-transmit-some-diseases-how-do-i-know-my-information-won%e2%80%99t-be-turned-over-to-the-police\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are Virginia laws making it a crime to transmit some diseases. How do I know my information won\u2019t be turned over to the police?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-there-are-virginia-laws-making-it-a-crime-to-transmit-some-diseases-how-do-i-know-my-information-won%e2%80%99t-be-turned-over-to-the-police\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-there-are-virginia-laws-making-it-a-crime-to-transmit-some-diseases-how-do-i-know-my-information-won%e2%80%99t-be-turned-over-to-the-police\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Virginia Department of Health protects your health information. If such information is requested by law enforcement, the health department will require a court order to block its release and subsequently request assistance from the Office of the Attorney General prior to the release of any information. The health department takes patient confidentiality very seriously. The Partner Services process will not work unless the Virginia Department of Health protects patient information to the greatest extent possible.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"why-is-this-the-health-departments-business\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-why-is-this-the-health-department%e2%80%99s-business\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-why-is-this-the-health-department%e2%80%99s-business\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy is this the health department\u2019s business?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-why-is-this-the-health-department%e2%80%99s-business\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-why-is-this-the-health-department%e2%80%99s-business\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Partner Services (identifying, testing and providing treatment to individuals at risk for STDs and HIV) is one of the most effective methods of stopping disease transmission. Many people are unaware that they may have been exposed to an infection. Because many diseases have no symptoms, people can continue to pass them to others without knowing it or suffer long-term health consequences.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-if-im-worried-about-my-safety-if-my-partner-finds-out-i-have-a-sexually-transmitted-disease\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-if-i%e2%80%99m-worried-about-my-safety-if-my-partner-finds-out-i-have-a-sexually-transmitted-disease\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-if-i%e2%80%99m-worried-about-my-safety-if-my-partner-finds-out-i-have-a-sexually-transmitted-disease\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat if I\u2019m worried about my safety if my partner finds out I have a sexually transmitted disease?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-if-i%e2%80%99m-worried-about-my-safety-if-my-partner-finds-out-i-have-a-sexually-transmitted-disease\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-if-i%e2%80%99m-worried-about-my-safety-if-my-partner-finds-out-i-have-a-sexually-transmitted-disease\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Health department staff can discuss these concerns with you and help you make a plan, identify support, or obtain referrals for shelters and organizations that specialize in domestic violence.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"i-dont-think-my-partner-has-been-with-anybody-else-if-the-health-department-tells-them-one-of-their-partners-has-an-std-wont-they-know-its-me\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-i-don%e2%80%99t-think-my-partner-has-been-with-anybody-else-if-the-health-department-tells-them-one-of-their-partners-has-an-std-won%e2%80%99t-they-know-it%e2%80%99s-me\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-i-don%e2%80%99t-think-my-partner-has-been-with-anybody-else-if-the-health-department-tells-them-one-of-their-partners-has-an-std-won%e2%80%99t-they-know-it%e2%80%99s-me\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI don\u2019t think my partner has been with anybody else. If the health department tells them one of their partners has an STD, won\u2019t they know it\u2019s me?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-i-don%e2%80%99t-think-my-partner-has-been-with-anybody-else-if-the-health-department-tells-them-one-of-their-partners-has-an-std-won%e2%80%99t-they-know-it%e2%80%99s-me\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-i-don%e2%80%99t-think-my-partner-has-been-with-anybody-else-if-the-health-department-tells-them-one-of-their-partners-has-an-std-won%e2%80%99t-they-know-it%e2%80%99s-me\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Although there are some cases in which a partner might figure out who infected them, the health department will not confirm this information. This does mean you need to have a conversation with your partner. However, if your partner is not informed, they could pass the STD back to you after you are treated. If they\u2019ve been infected with HIV, they deserve to know so that they can obtain treatment to prolong their life and avoid passing the virus to someone else. Health department staff can help prepare you for this conversation or can talk with you and your partner together.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"will-my-employer-find-out\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-will-my-employer-find-out\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-will-my-employer-find-out\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill my employer find out?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-will-my-employer-find-out\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-will-my-employer-find-out\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>No. The health department will protect your information and will not disclose it to your employer.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"how-does-this-benefit-me\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-how-does-this-benefit-me\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-how-does-this-benefit-me\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does this benefit me?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-how-does-this-benefit-me\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-how-does-this-benefit-me\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\tYou can avoid an uncomfortable conversation or negative reactions from a partner by leaving the notification process to the health department. You\u2019ll have the satisfaction of having done the right thing. Even if you were in a relationship that ended badly, everyone deserves information necessary to protect their health. If you are still in a relationship with a partner, making sure that they get tested and treated will also protect you from getting another STD.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"i-met-my-partner-online-i-only-know-their-screen-name-can-they-be-located\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-i-met-my-partner-online-i-only-know-their-screen-name-can-they-be-located\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-i-met-my-partner-online-i-only-know-their-screen-name-can-they-be-located\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI met my partner online. I only know their screen name. Can they be located?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-i-met-my-partner-online-i-only-know-their-screen-name-can-they-be-located\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-i-met-my-partner-online-i-only-know-their-screen-name-can-they-be-located\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The more information you provide, the easier it will be for us to locate your partners. We may be able to reach your partner by their screen name and the chat room\/website you met them on. Any additional information you can provide such as nicknames, physical description, where they like to hang out, can also be helpful.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"can-the-health-department-make-me-tell-them-who-my-partners-were\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-can-the-health-department-make-me-tell-them-who-my-partners-were\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-can-the-health-department-make-me-tell-them-who-my-partners-were\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the health department make me tell them who my partners were?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-can-the-health-department-make-me-tell-them-who-my-partners-were\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-can-the-health-department-make-me-tell-them-who-my-partners-were\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>No, the health department staff cannot force you to talk with them. However, they may make more than one attempt to discuss partners with you. Notifying people that they may have been exposed to an infectious disease is a critical part of protecting the public\u2019s health. Health department staff may be persistent in their efforts to get the names of your partners. If you provide false information, phone numbers and addresses, you may also get a follow-up visit. You\u2019ll experience less disruption if you are truthful with the health department counselors up front.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"if-the-partner-services-process-is-anonymous-why-do-you-need-my-name-and-medical-information-cant-the-health-department-just-contact-my-partners-if-i-give-them-the-names\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-if-the-partner-services-process-is-anonymous-why-do-you-need-my-name-and-medical-information-cant-the-health-department-just-contact-my-partners-if-i-give-them-the-names\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-if-the-partner-services-process-is-anonymous-why-do-you-need-my-name-and-medical-information-cant-the-health-department-just-contact-my-partners-if-i-give-them-the-names\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf the Partner Services process is anonymous, why do you need my name and medical information?  Can't the health department just contact my partners if I give them the names?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-if-the-partner-services-process-is-anonymous-why-do-you-need-my-name-and-medical-information-cant-the-health-department-just-contact-my-partners-if-i-give-them-the-names\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-if-the-partner-services-process-is-anonymous-why-do-you-need-my-name-and-medical-information-cant-the-health-department-just-contact-my-partners-if-i-give-them-the-names\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-480\" class=\"panel-layout\">\n<div id=\"pg-480-0\" class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\">\n<div id=\"pgc-480-0-0\" class=\"panel-grid-cell\">\n<div id=\"panel-480-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n<p>In order to prevent abuse of the system, we must be able to confirm an individual\u2019s diagnosis before we contact any partners.\u00a0 This protects everyone and prevents people from using the process as a prank or in a malicious manner. Your personal information is confidential, and only used for medical confirmation purposes as described.\u00a0 An individual\u2019s name\/personal information is never shared with partners in the Partner Services process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are diagnosed with HIV or certain sexually transmitted diseases, Partner Services is a process by which your sex and\/or needle sharing partners are notified that they may have been exposed to an infection and need to be tested. Anonymous Third-Party Notification This is when a professional health counselor notifies your partners. You provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"parent":177,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-480","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Partner Services - Disease Prevention<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Partner Services - Disease Prevention\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you are diagnosed with HIV or certain sexually transmitted diseases, Partner Services is a process by which your sex and\/or needle sharing partners are notified that they may have been exposed to an infection and need to be tested. Anonymous Third-Party Notification This is when a professional health counselor notifies your partners. You provide [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Disease Prevention\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-23T17:59:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1568812792-1024x683.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/\",\"name\":\"Partner Services - Disease Prevention\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-01-21T13:28:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-23T17:59:50+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/partner-services\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"HIV Prevention\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/hivprevention\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Partner Services\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/\",\"name\":\"Disease Prevention\",\"description\":\"A Division of the Office of Epidemiology\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/disease-prevention\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Partner Services - Disease Prevention","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Partner Services - Disease Prevention","og_description":"If you are diagnosed with HIV or certain sexually transmitted diseases, Partner Services is a process by which your sex and\/or needle sharing partners are notified that they may have been exposed to an infection and need to be tested. Anonymous Third-Party Notification This is when a professional health counselor notifies your partners. You provide [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/","og_site_name":"Disease Prevention","article_modified_time":"2025-04-23T17:59:50+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1568812792-1024x683.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/","name":"Partner Services - Disease Prevention","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg","datePublished":"2016-01-21T13:28:29+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-23T17:59:50+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_562523227-1024x1024.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/partner-services\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"HIV Prevention","item":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/hivprevention\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Partner Services"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/","name":"Disease Prevention","description":"A Division of the Office of Epidemiology","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12775,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480\/revisions\/12775"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}