How Long After Sex to Test for STIs?

If you’re sexually active — even if you use protection, like condoms or dams — you’re at risk for contracting an STI. Some people have a higher risk of getting an STI, including those who have multiple sex partners.

Regular testing is key to catching common STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, early on. Early detection not only helps prevent the spread of infections but also wards off potential long-term health issues like infertility, chronic pain, and organ damage.

An annual STI panel is a good idea for anyone who is sexually active. This group of tests can include a number of STI screenings, depending on your particular risk factors. Your doctor may also recommend more frequent testing for certain STIs if you have a high risk of contracting them.

You may want to test for a particular STI after having unprotected sex with someone who has a chance of testing positive for an STI. Since different STIs have different incubation periods after exposure, it’s important to know how long after sex to test for an STD — getting tested too early can result in a false negative, meaning you test negative for an STI when you do, in fact, have one.

Read on to learn about STI incubation periods, how soon after unprotected sex you can test for STDs, and STD symptoms to watch out for in the meantime.

What is an STD Incubation Period?

The STD incubation period is the time between being exposed to an infection and the appearance of symptoms or the ability to detect the infection through testing.

The incubation period of STDs varies, depending on the type of infection and other factors. In general, it ranges from a few days to several months.

For the most accurate test results possible, it’s important to follow the recommended guidelines for the timing of STD tests. Testing too early might not detect the infection while waiting too long can increase the spread — and the risk of complications. It’s important to note that this guidance is for those who want routine testing when asymptomatic. If you are symptomatic and have sex with someone who has tested positive, you should see a healthcare provider for testing as soon as possible.

How Long Does It Take for STD Symptoms to Show Up?

The time it takes for STD symptoms to appear varies widely, depending on the type of infection. Some STDs, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, can show symptoms within a few days to a week after exposure, while others, such as HIV, herpes, or syphilis, may take weeks, months, or even years. However, many STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning no symptoms appear, which is why regular testing is essential for anyone sexually active. Early testing and diagnosis can help prevent complications and stop the spread of infections to others.

Timing for Specific STDs

If you’re wondering when symptoms of an STD might appear, the timing can vary widely depending on the type of infection. Knowing when to test is essential for accurate results and timely treatment.

Here’s how long to wait after unprotected sex to get tested for the eight most common STIs.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in Canada, with more than 104,000 new cases in 2021. A highly contagious bacterial infection, chlamydia may or may not cause symptoms. Regular testing is important for catching it early and preventing the spread. Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics, but it can cause serious health problems if it’s not treated.

Testing Method: Chlamydia is tested through a urine or swab sample.
Timing For Testing: While testing is possible 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sex, the most accurate results are obtained after 14 days.

Gonorrhea

The second most commonly reported UTI in Canada, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that’s easily treated with antibiotics — for now. Gonorrhea infections are steadily becoming antibiotic-resistant and could one day become incurable.

Testing Method: Urine sample or swab of body fluid.
Timing for Testing: Testing can be done 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sex, but the most accurate results occur when tested seven to 14 days after exposure.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. Although the majority of people with herpes don’t experience symptoms — and most don’t know they have it — it can cause periodic outbreaks of painful sores in and around the genitalia, anus, or nearby areas of skin. Herpes is a chronic condition, meaning it can’t be cured, but outbreaks are manageable with antiviral medications.

Due to a high risk of false results in people with a low risk for HSV, healthcare providers only recommend HSV testing for people who have developed sores or who think they have been exposed to the virus.

Testing Method:
- For those with symptoms: For those with genital lesions, a viral culture or DNA test is performed on a swab sample of a sore to confirm an HSV infection.
- For those without symptoms: For those who don’t have symptoms but think they may have been exposed to the virus, a blood test detects HSV antibodies, which the body produces to fight an infection. Around 80% of HSV infections produce detectable antibodies within four weeks of exposure, but it can take three months or longer.
Timing for Testing: Antibodies are usually detectable within four weeks of exposure, though it can take up to three months for some individuals.

Syphilis

Syphilis cases in Canada were few and far between a couple of decades ago but began creeping back up in the early 2000s. In 2022, nearly 14,000 cases were reported nationwide, an increase likely due in part to a lack of access to healthcare — especially among marginalized communities.

Syphilis is curable with antibiotics, but leaving it untreated can lead to devastating health problems, including brain damage, seizures, and heart disease. It can also cause severe health issues in infants and small children if an infected mother passes it to the fetus during pregnancy.

Testing Method: Blood test.
Timing for Testing: Syphilis can generally be detected via blood test three to four weeks after infection. To confirm the accuracy, healthcare providers often recommend re-testing after three months.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, has more than 100 types. Most of the types do not cause any symptoms and will go away on their own without treatment. Around 50 types of HPV are considered “low-risk” and can cause genital or anal warts, and there are two types in particular that cause the most cases of genital warts, which are flat or cauliflower-like bumps that occur in the genital area. Around 25 types are considered “high-risk” and, if left untreated, can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, penis or anus. Fourteen types cause cancers of the cervix, plus some less common cancers of the throat, anus, penis, vagina and vulva. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and sexual activity.

Most people who have HPV are asymptomatic and never know they have it.

Testing Method:

For Women: Cervical swab, typically during a Pap smear or as a separate HPV test. Since HPV infections are very common in women under 30 years old — and around 90% of all HPV infections clear up on their own within two years — healthcare experts generally recommend testing only after the age of 30. An HPV vaccine is available in Canada and recommended for children and adults between nine and 45 years old.
For Men: No HPV screening is available.

Timing for Testing: HPV can be detectable from as early as three weeks up to eight months after exposure. Routine screening is generally recommended for women over 30 due to the common self-resolution of HPV in younger women.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be sexually transmitted or spread through contact with infected blood. Many people with HBV don’t experience symptoms, and the infection may go away on its own. But if it doesn’t clear up naturally — and the infection is left untreated — it can cause irreversible liver damage and liver cancer, or other serious health problems.

Testing Method: Blood test.
Timing for Testing: Hepatitis B can be detected as early as one to nine weeks after exposure, with an average detection time of around four weeks. The incubation period for HBV is typically one to six months.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a potentially fatal infection if it’s not treated. Some people with HIV don’t experience any symptoms — and when symptoms do occur, they’re often mistaken for other illnesses, like a cold or flu. While HIV is manageable with antiviral medications, it will likely turn into AIDS within eight to 15 years if it’s left untreated.

Testing Methods:

Nucleic Acid Test (NAT): Detectable 10 to 33 days post-exposure.
Antigen/Antibody Lab Test: Detectable 18 to 45 days post-exposure.
Rapid Antigen/Antibody Test: Detectable 19 to 90 days post-exposure.
Antibody Test: Detectable 23 to 90 days post-exposure.

Timing for Testing: The testing window for HIV depends on the test type, ranging from 10 to 90 days after unprotected contact.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection that most commonly affects women, causing symptoms like foul-smelling vaginal discharge and genital itching. Men don’t typically experience symptoms. Trichomoniasis is treatable with antibiotics — but all partners need to be treated at the same time to prevent swift reinfection.

Testing Method: Urine test.
Timing for Testing: Trichomoniasis is detectable within three to 28 days post-exposure, depending on the parasite’s incubation period.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Many people living with hepatitis C have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and in some adults, Hepatitis C will go away on its own within six months — called an acute infection. Most hepatitis C infections happen in people who inject drugs or have injected them in the past.

Symptoms of an acute infection can include:

Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Dark urine
Pale stools
Loss of appetite
Flu-like symptoms
Pain or tenderness on the right side of the abdomen
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or the whites of the eyes)

If the infection lasts longer than 3 months — a chronic infection — this can lead to more long-term health problems, such as liver scarring, liver cancer, and liver failure.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C chronic infection can include:

Abdominal pain
Blood in stool or vomit
Fluid build-up (in your abdomen)
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Testing Method: Blood test.
Timing for Testing: Hepatitis C is generally detectable within two to 12 weeks after exposure.

Importance of Prompt Testing for STDs

Prompt testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is essential for maintaining both personal and public health. Early detection allows for timely treatment, minimizing the risks of complications and helping to prevent the spread of infections to others. Here’s why it’s critical to get tested promptly:

Reduces Risk of Severe Health Complications: Untreated STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, can lead to long-term health issues, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even organ damage. Early detection and treatment can prevent these complications, helping you maintain your reproductive and overall health.
Prevents Transmission to Others: Many STDs are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t always show obvious symptoms but can still be spread through sexual contact. Regular and timely testing is crucial for identifying and treating these “silent” infections, reducing the chance of passing them on to partners unknowingly.
Supports Targeted Treatment: Prompt testing allows healthcare providers to accurately identify the type of infection, ensuring you receive the most effective treatment. This approach minimizes unnecessary medications and reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance, which is an increasing concern with certain STDs.
Protects Community Health: Widespread and regular testing is essential to controlling STD outbreaks and maintaining community health. By detecting and treating infections quickly, public health authorities can monitor trends, manage outbreaks, and prevent the spread of infections in the wider community.

How Often Should You Get Tested for STIs?

Since the incubation period of STIs varies widely by the infection and the individual, annual STI testing is recommended for anyone sexually active. Not everyone needs to be tested for every STI — your doctor will recommend which tests are right for you based on factors like your age, STI history, number of sex partners, and how many other risk factors you have.

Around 50% of Canadians don’t get tested for STIs, partly due to fear of a positive result, embarrassment around talking about sex, or the lack of a primary care provider.

If you’re one of the 6.5 million Canadians without a family doctor — or you don’t want to see your usual doctor for STI screenings — Maple makes it easy to get the tests you need. We can connect you with a Canadian-licensed doctor or nurse practitioner in minutes, who can ask a range of questions to determine your risk factors and which tests you should get. Primary care providers are available over secure text, audio, or video call 24/7/365, so you can get the care you need when it’s convenient for you.

If required, practitioners on Maple can send you to a lab near you for blood, urine, or swab samples and provide you with the results once they come in.

Taking charge of your sexual health is essential for your well-being and the well-being of your partners. Regular STI testing is a proactive way to catch infections early, prevent their spread, and avoid long-term health complications. Whether it’s an annual STI panel or targeted testing after potential exposure, staying informed about testing windows and incubation periods ensures that you get accurate results when you need them most.

The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.