The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) reminds that the Qixi Valentine's Day is approaching. While immersed in the sweet holiday atmosphere, remember to practice safe sexual behavior and protect your own health. To prevent sexual partners from contracting sexually transmitted infections, the CDC, in collaboration with the Taiwan AIDS Nursing Association, has newly established the “Anonymous Third‑Party Notification Platform for Partners of Sexually Transmitted Diseases,” which went live in July 2026. The public may make use of it as needed.
According to monitoring data, up to July this year, domestic reports show 6,116 new cases of syphilis, 537 new HIV infections, and 3,092 new cases of gonorrhea. Compared with the same period in 2025 (5,856, 512, and 3,651 cases respectively), syphilis and HIV increased by 4% and 5%, while gonorrhea decreased by 15%. Since monkeypox (Mpox) was classified as a statutory infectious disease in 2023, a total of 543 cases have been confirmed, and as of the end of July this year, 27 new cases were reported, unchanged from the same period last year (28 cases). Epidemiological investigations show that those infected with the aforementioned STIs mainly engaged in unsafe sexual practices, indicating that community transmission risk of STIs remains significant.
The CDC states that HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and monkeypox are primarily transmitted through unsafe sexual behavior. Many STIs have mild or no early symptoms, making them easy to overlook and delay medical care. Untreated STIs can cause complications such as neurological disorders or opportunistic infections, leading to irreversible impacts on personal health. Pregnant women may experience premature birth, newborn blindness, or infant infection. Moreover, if a sexual partner does not receive testing or treatment, the infection can bounce back and forth like a ping‑pong game, causing both parties to fall ill. Therefore, during intimate moments, one should consistently use condoms correctly, combined with water‑based lubricant. If safe sex cannot be ensured and there is a risk of infection, one may consider pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) after physician assessment. If unsafe sex occurs with infection risk, one should seek medical evaluation within 72 hours for post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or doxycycline as post‑exposure prophylaxis for syphilis (doxy‑PEP) to reduce infection risk. Preventive medication does not replace condoms and other protective measures; regular screening is recommended after unsafe sex. If related symptoms appear, seek medical care promptly and complete effective treatment. Do not self‑medicate with antibiotics, as this may affect treatment outcomes.
The CDC points out the “Anonymous Third‑Party Notification Platform for Partners of Sexually Transmitted Diseases” (https://reurl.cc/AXOAoj) features three main characteristics: fully anonymous data, real‑time delivery of concern, and privacy protection for both parties. Users only need to enter the partner’s email address; the system, acting as a de‑identified third party, sends a risk notification message to the partner, along with related health‑education information and referral services for screening and resources. After the email is successfully sent, the system immediately deletes the contact information and records, ensuring absolute privacy with no data retention. This also helps users overcome the psychological barrier of informing their partners, and reminds the public that receiving a risk‑notification email from the platform is merely a friendly health reminder and does not mean the recipient is infected; please do not panic. The purpose of the service is to give the recipient an opportunity to arrange a screening (anonymous screening is also available) to confirm their health status. Medical institutions will also provide further diagnosis and comprehensive professional medical assistance. For detailed information about the platform, you may consult the CDC’s global website (https://gov.tw/xAd).
The CDC explains that the Line@ CDC Home has set up a “Sexual Health Friendly Resource Map,” which can quickly locate nearby anonymous screening facilities, sexual‑health‑friendly clinics, HIV self‑screening services, PrEP and PEP service locations, and condom vending machines based on the phone’s location. If you have any STI‑related questions, you can also use the anonymous STI consultation service, where professionals provide one‑on‑one online counseling.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Infection Management Office
