Count on Us: Your Questions Answered

Latinos Salud’s healthcare providers answer some of the community’s most pressing concerns. This month, Latinos Salud’s provider in its Southwest Miami location, Daikel Martinez, DNP, shares what you need to know about STD symptoms, whether partners would benefit from PrEP, and being proactive about your sexual health.

OutClique: Serving the entire, LGBT community, you get many questions about HIV and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases, also called “STIs,” for “sexually transmitted infections”). What are some of the most common questions you hear at Latinos Salid?

Daikel Martinez, DNP: Patients often ask, “My partner tested positive for an STI, but I feel fine. Do I still need treatment?” People who have heard about people experiencing pain when they urinate due to urethral gonorrhea assume that means all STDs will “hurt.” So, they figure, “no pain, no STD, right?”

Actually, if your partner has an STD, you absolutely do need to be screened, and almost certainly need to get on treatment. Many people who have caught STDs – including chlamydia, syphilis, and even rectal gonorrhea –don’t show noticeable symptoms. Just because you don’t feel anything doesn’t mean you’re not infected.

If your partner tested positive, we usually recommend treatment—even before your own results come back. This is called “presumptive treatment,” and it helps prevent further spread and protects your long-term health. Untreated STDs can lead to serious complications, including infertility or nerve damage, depending on the infection.

Early treatment is fast, effective, and often just one dose of medication. So don’t wait—get checked and treated, even if you feel okay.

OutClique: Another question that some of our readers have asked is, “I’m in a monogamous relationship. Do I still need PrEP?”

Daikel Martinez, DNP: It depends—but it’s a very common and smart question. If both partners are HIV-negative, monogamous, and tested recently, your risk is low. But relationships can be complicated, and people may not always be upfront about their status, past exposures, or “slip ups”.

Our counselors at Latinos Salud always recommend honest and specific conversations. If someone says, ‘I love you,’ does that mean they’ve just committed to be exclusive? We all bring different meanings to words, and we want to make sure we’re on the same page. Or maybe, you agreed to have an “open” relationship, but you just meant oral or masturbating, but your partner thought you meant condomless anal sex.

If those conversations sound difficult, or if you’re not sure you’ll both be 100% committed to what you agreed upon, PrEP may be a great choice.

PrEP gives you control over your own protection, regardless of what your partner does. It’s safe, more than 99% effective when taken as a daily pill, and PrEP is also available in the form of a long-acting shot every two months (or even every six months).

For some, it’s peace of mind. For others, it’s a backup plan. Either way, you’re in charge—and we’re here to help you make the best decision for your health.

OutClique: This is such helpful information. Even with free services at Latinos Salud, and PrEP available, some people are nervous about talking about their sexual health, aren’t they?

Daikel Martinez, DNP: Many of us were raised to believe sex was something that you don’t talk about. But your sexual health is part of your overall wellness. Don’t wait for a problem—ask questions, get tested, and stay informed. Whether it’s PrEP, treatment, or just a conversation, we’re here without judgment, and we’re always in your corner. For me, working with the Latino LGBT community is deeply personal. Cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited health access often keep people from care. As a bilingual provider rooted in this community, I strive to create a space where patients feel seen, supported, and empowered—offering affirming, culturally competent care that meets the needs of our diverse identities.