How Long Does it Take to get STI Test Results Back from the Doctor

Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections is an important aspect of preventative health for anyone who is sexually active. Yet, around half of Canadians have never had an STI test. Some cite the fear of getting a positive result as the reason for avoiding it, but most STIs can be cured or managed, and timely treatment can help prevent serious complications.

Getting tested for STIs is generally quick and easy — the hardest part is knowing where to start and waiting for the results to come back. The good news is that for the most part, the wait isn’t very long. 

Read on to learn about the different tests used to detect STIs — and how long you can expect to wait for the results to come back.

How are STIs tested?

To test for STIs, healthcare providers may complete a physical examination where they are able to make a diagnosis based on visual inspection of the area of concern (a sore, lesion, or rash for example). A healthcare provider may also take a sample of blood or urine — or a swab of cells or body fluid — and send it to a lab, where it’s tested for particular STIs using one or more methods:

• Antibody and antigen tests detect antigens, which are found on the outside of microorganisms, and/or antibodies, which the body produces to fight an infection. 
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) works by detecting the genetic material of a microorganism (bacteria, virus, parasite). 
• Culture tests involve taking a sample of blood, urine, cells, or body fluid and using special techniques to encourage bacteria, viruses, or parasites to grow and multiply. The lab examines the culture under a microscope to determine whether the microorganisms are present.
• Microscopy tests are used to detect microorganisms visually under a microscope. These tests include dark field microscopy, direct fluorescent antibody stains, gram stains, and wet mount microscopy.

Common STIs and test result time frames

In general, STI test results are available within a day to a week, depending on the type of test and the lab processing time, which can vary. The following are the most common STIs tested for in Canada, along with which tests are used and generally how long it takes to get the results back. 

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and Gonorrhea is, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STIs in Canada. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are easy to treat with antibiotics, but if left untreated, they can cause serious health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and urethritis and epididymitis in men.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be tested using urine or a swab from the cervix, urethra, throat or rectum.

• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) is used in Canada and works by identifying the genetic material of the bacteria.
  Results: One to three days.
• Culture tests involve growing Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a lab from a sample.
  Results: Five to seven days.

Trichomoniasis

Commonly called “trich,” trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a single-cell parasite. Trich affects both men and women, although symptoms are more common in women. Trichomoniasis is easy to treat with antibiotics — but all partners need to be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection. 

Trichomoniasis can be tested using urine or a vaginal, cervical, or urethral swab sample of body fluid.

• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT):  works by identifying the genetic material of the parasite. This is the most reliable test to detect Trichomoniasis.
  Results: One to three days.
• Culture tests to grow the parasite from a collected sample, best results when the sample is delivered to the lab shortly after collection.
  Results: Five to seven days.
• Microscopy identifies that parasite under a microscope..
  Results: One to two days.
• Rapid antigen tests detect trich antigens in vaginal fluid in women or urethral fluid in men — or, less commonly, in urine.
  Results: Ten minutes to an hour.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a treatable STI, but if it’s left untreated, it can cause severe health issues down the road. Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, syphilis occurs in four stages: 

• The primary stage is characterized by a painless sore, known as a chancre, at the site of infection. 
• The second stage may cause skin rashes and lesions on mucous membranes. 
• The latent stage is the third phase and has no symptoms, but the bacterium stays in the body. If it’s not treated, it will progress to the fourth stage. 
• The tertiary stage can cause damage to the heart, brain, and other organs

Syphilis can be tested on a blood sample or swab of a chancre sore if present.

• Blood Tests: Two blood tests will be done, one to screen for syphilis and a second to confirm it is positive.
  Results: Seven to 10 days.
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT): Detect the genetic material of Treponema pallidum in a sample of a sore or body fluid.
  Results: One to three days.
• Microscopy tests are less commonly used and involve taking a sample of a chancre (sore) and examining it under a microscope to visually identify the bacteria.
  Results: One to two days.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is one of the most common STIs in Canada. HPV can cause genital warts and some strains can lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, or throat. While there’s no cure for HPV, most infections go away on their own within a couple of years. 

HPV is tested using a sample of cells to look for abnormal changes to them. 

• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT):  Used to detect abnormal changes to cell DNA. An HPV test can be a stand-alone test, called a primary HPV test, or performed at the same time as a Pap test, also known as a co-test or Pap/HPV test.
  Results: One to three weeks.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. While a vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B, once someone is infected, it can’t be cured — only managed.  

Hepatitis B is tested using a blood sample. Different tests provide different information about an infection — results for these tests are typically available within a few days to a week.

• Surface antigen test (HBsAg): A positive result indicates an active and contagious hepatitis B infection. 
• Surface antibody test (Anti-HBs): A positive result indicates you’re immune to hepatitis B, either because you’ve been vaccinated or recovered from an infection.
• Core antibody test (Anti-HBc): A positive result indicates a past or current infection.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are two types of HSV: 

• HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, or cold sores, but it can also cause genital herpes. 
• HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes, which involves occasional outbreaks of painful sores or blisters around the genital or anal areas.

Genital herpes is a chronic condition, which means it can’t be cured. The virus remains in the body and may periodically reactivate, causing an outbreak of sores. Herpes can be transmitted even when sores aren’t present — many people with genital herpes don’t experience symptoms and may not know they have it.

HSV testing is only recommended for people who have an outbreak of sores or who had unprotected sex with someone who may have it.

• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT): works by identifying the genetic material of the virus.
  Results: One to three days.
• Viral culture tests involve taking a swab sample of a lesion and sending it to a lab to identify the virus if it grows when added to other cells.
  Results: Three to seven days.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system. While it’s manageable with medication, it can’t be cured. Left untreated, it can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS.

HIV is tested using a blood sample or oral swab. 

• Antibody rapid tests screen for HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid.
  Results: Less than 30 minutes.
• Antigen/Antibody tests detect antigens and/or antibodies of HIV.
  Results: One to two weeks.

What to do while you’re waiting for STI test results

No matter what STI you’re testing for, avoid sex while you’re awaiting results. If you test negative, continue using safe sex practices to help prevent STIs. If you test positive, follow your doctor’s treatment instructions carefully to prevent reinfection or manage a chronic infection. 

Some STIs are reportable to local public health units. Reporting is confidential. A public health nurse will contact you to make sure you get the treatment and support you need — and to ask for the contact information for sexual partners who may have been exposed to the infection. The nurse will inform them that they may have been exposed to an STI and should get tested — your name won’t be used. If you’d rather inform your partner(s) yourself, let the nurse know.

Where to go for STI testing

You can get an STI test through your family doctor, a sexual health clinic, or a local public health unit.

But, if you’re one of the 6.5 million Canadians without a primary care provider, Maple can help. We’ll connect you virtually with a primary care provider — like a Canadian-licensed doctor or nurse practitioner — who can order STI tests for you at a nearby lab, provide you with the results, and develop a treatment plan if you test positive. Primary care providers are available 24/7/365 in minutes, and you can connect over secure text, audio, or video call — so you’ll always feel confident that your conversation stays between you and your provider.

Register with Maple today, and take control of your sexual health to learn how to get regular STI testing.

With advancements in testing technology, it’s becoming more common to get results quickly so you can have peace of mind sooner. Staying informed about your sexual health is crucial, and regular STI testing is a simple yet powerful way to take control. While the anticipation of waiting for test results can be nerve-wracking, remember that the benefits of knowing far outweigh the uncertainty of not knowing.

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.