Gently

AT THE OB-GYN Out-Patient Clinic, I diagnosed a 30-something unmarried woman with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). I prescribed an antibiotic regimen and gave her a list of laboratory tests, which included a quick screening test for HIV. Nothing special with her case; it was rather straightforward and only required a standard work up. She was taking it all in—the very idea that she had STD—until the final blow came: that her partner had to be treated as well.

"Parang gumuho naman ang mundo ko, Dok," she said. "Paano ko sasabihin sa kanya ito?"

They met last year. Other than that I did not know any more details about the relationship, but it seemed like he meant the world to her.

After I gave her the prescription and instructed her to take her meds—"This tablet: twice daily for 14 days"—she asked if she could perhaps lead her partner into thinking that the medication was for something else, and definitely not for an STD.

"Sasabihin mong vitamins lang ito? Mahirap ata 'yun," I said.

"Baka pandirihan niya po ako." She looked distraught, staring blankly into space, tears welling in her eyes, before she turned to me. "Ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin, Dok?"

My advice: break it to him gently. The truth hurts, but it should be worth it. I'm just curious: what would you have said, if you were in my place?