How Soon Can You Get Tested for STDs? – Incubation Period & Testing Time Frames
How soon should I test for STDs after exposure?
When to get tested for an STD is an important question. After an individual is exposed to an STD and becomes infected, there is a period of time before a test will show a positive result. This is called the window period. For some STDs, the window period for testing can be as short as a week or two, and for other STDs, as long as a few months.
The second column has the earliest time that tests offered by myLAB Box could be positive after a potential exposure. Some of the times listed are estimates due to limited data; in other cases the window period is simply unknown.
| When to take your first test after exposure | How long can it take to have a positive test | |
| Chlamydia | 7 days | 7 days or longer |
| Gonorrhea | 7 days | 7 days or longer |
| Genital Herpes (HSV-2) | 2 weeks* | 2-16 weeks (2 weeks to 4 months) Most test positive by 8 weeks but it can take as long as 4 months to become positive |
| Syphilis | 2 weeks | 2 weeks to 3 months. Average 3 weeks to become positive |
| HIV (4th generation, antibody and antigen) | 19-21 days | 19 days to 6-7 weeks |
| Hepatitis C | 3 weeks | 3 weeks to 6 months. Most test positive by 6-9 weeks |
| HPV (high risk types) | Testing done for women 30 years of age or older, usually test 2-3 years after last negative test | Unknown window period |
| Trich | 7 days or when vaginal or urethral symptoms are present | 1 – 4 weeks |
| BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) | Vaginal symptoms are present | Unknown window period |
| Yeast (Candida Vaginitis) | Vaginal symptoms are present | Unknown window period |
| M. genitalium | Vaginal symptoms are present | Unknown window period |
*Negative test results need to be repeated if initial testing done at less than 16 weeks after exposure
How soon should I retest after treatment?
Follow-up testing can be very helpful and give you peace of mind. In most cases, it is important to retest after treatment to be sure you are no longer infected. An exception is HSV-2 (genital herpes) which is a lifetime infection. Retesting after testing positive for HSV-2 is not needed. Individuals testing positive for HIV and HPV often require additional testing during or following treatment. This type of testing is best done by the clinical provider treating you.
There is disagreement among major medical and public health organizations about retesting time schedules. In many cases, there is limited data or even no data to make an evidence-based recommendation. Given the current state of knowledge, our recommendations for retesting emphasize staying healthy and disease free. Retesting is especially important when sex partners do not receive treatment, individuals have sex with new infected partners, or sex occurs without using condoms.
| Retesting after treatment | Retesting after testing negative* | |
| Chlamydia | 3 weeks after end of treatment | Every 3 months |
| Gonorrhea | 3 weeks after end of treatment | Every 3 months |
| Genital Herpes (HSV-2) | No retesting needed | Every 6-12 months or if symptoms are present |
| Syphilis | 6 weeks-6 months** | Every 3-6 months |
| HIV (4th generation, antibody and antigen) | Additional testing done by clinical provider | Every 3-6 months |
| Hepatitis C | Additional testing done by clinical provider | Every 6-12 months |
| HPV (high risk types) | Additional testing done by clinical provider | Every 2-3 years |
| Trich | 3 weeks after end of treatment | Vaginal or urethral symptoms are present, but Trich can be present without symptoms |
| BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) | Retest is symptoms persist | Vaginal symptoms are present |
| Yeast (Candida Vaginitis) | Retest is symptoms persist | Vaginal symptoms are present |
| M. genitalium | 1 month after end of treatment | Unknown |
* Retesting is especially important if you have multiple sex partners and had unprotected sex.
** Requires serologic (i.e. titer) testing. Please see your clinical provider for type and frequency of testing for syphilis after treatment.
Reviewed by Luis Ferdinand M. Papa, MD, MHA