Most STDs won't be detectable straight away. You should wait at least 14 days before testing for chlamydia or gonorrhoea. You should wait at least 28 days before testing for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
How soon after I had sex can I get tested for STDs? It depends. It can take 3 months for HIV to show up on a test, but it only takes a matter of days to a few weeks for STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis to show up. Practicing safer sex lowers your chances of getting or spreading STDs.
You can get a chlamydia test at any time – although you might be advised to repeat the test later on if you have it less than 2 weeks since you had sex because the infection might not always be found in the early stages.
Test results normally take about one week. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing.
The results
In most cases your result will be available within 7 days. A negative result means you have not been infected. A positive result means that you have chlamydia and should get treated. Those that are pregnant will need to have a repeat test in 4 weeks to check it has gone.
Gonorrhea. The symptoms of gonorrhea may also appear within 24-48 hours following contact. The most common sign of gonorrhea is a thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or the vagina. For that reason, gonorrhea is often referred to as the “drip”, it is also commonly known as the clap.
Chlamydia. A doctor can test for chlamydia by swabbing the vagina, cervix, rectum, or throat, or by taking a urine sample. If symptoms appear, they usually present within 7–21 days of exposure. A test can normally detect chlamydia within 1–2 weeks of exposure.
How long does a Chlamydia test take? You will receive the result of your instant Chlamydia test just 10 minutes after providing your sample.
Test results are usually ready in a day. There are some rapid chlamydia tests that can provide results in 90 minutes or less. You can also buy at-home collection kits to test for chlamydia and other STDs.
Chlamydia Incubation Period: between 7 and 21 days. Chlamydia Window Period: between 1 and 5 days.
Repeat testing may be needed in some cases. All sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men should be tested: At least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
Although the symptoms of genital chlamydia differ slightly between people who have penises and those who have vulvas, the time it takes for the infection to show up is the same: Symptoms typically develop 7-21 days after contact with an infected partner.
In as little as one day, chlamydia may show up in your system, but testing should be done at least five days after exposure. It is recommended you retest two weeks after treatment to make sure you are free of the infection.
If you recently tested negative for an infection but are still experiencing symptoms, consider getting tested again. STIs can be dangerous to your well-being if left undetected and untreated. When it comes to your sexual health, prioritize testing and visit an urgent care center at your convenience.
Although chlamydia is highly contagious, it does not always transmit to a person's sexual partners. It is also possible to have a false-negative test result. Having more frequent sex with a partner who has chlamydia may increase a person's risk of contracting it.
How accurate/reliable are the results? No STI test is 100% accurate. It can take time for some STIs to show up in tests, this is referred to as the incubation period so find out when STIs show up in tests before you take one. A test result that shows a possible infection is called 'reactive'.
The chlamydia test and gonorrhoea test are 99.9% accurate if you wait at least 2 weeks after having unprotected sex before testing.
Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later. Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI. If there's any chance you have an STI, go to a sexual health clinic or GP for a free and confidential check-up.
Consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. However, condom use cannot provide absolute protection against any STD.
Chlamydia often has no noticeable symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they usually do so 7–21 days of exposure. However, it can take weeks to months for people to notice any changes. Tests can usually detect chlamydia 1–2 weeks after exposure.
3 The only way to tell which one you have—or if you have an STI at all—is to go visit your local healthcare provider or a free clinic and get tested. There is no way for someone to self-diagnose what STI is causing a discharge without having a laboratory test done.