Hi,
I'm just curious. I am educated on STD's, general symptoms of each, but still just can't keep them straight and would like some help just breaking down the timeline of when they are detectable by laboratory tests.
Some STD's don't wait for symptoms to appear, others do. Is there a general time frame after having sex where you can be pretty confident all, or at least most, are accounted for?
I've heard quite a few different scenarios, but all it does is reassure uncertainty of a test. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm just curious. I am educated on STD's, general symptoms of each, but still just can't keep them straight and would like some help just breaking down the timeline of when they are detectable by laboratory tests.
Some STD's don't wait for symptoms to appear, others do. Is there a general time frame after having sex where you can be pretty confident all, or at least most, are accounted for?
I've heard quite a few different scenarios, but all it does is reassure uncertainty of a test. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Licensed Dietitian
588 posts
I think it depends upon a disease. I don’t think there’s a general line because it takes months for some diseases to become detectable and some could be right away.
It is hard to know, if you have been exposed, when to get tested as, like you already said, there are no obvious signs in some diseases.
I have been thinking about the same thing actually, although I know that it can take at least 6 months for HIV antibodies to develop, as well as for hepatitic c while Candida can be seen straight away. Chlamydia’s presence can be detected like 30-48 h after infection and gonorrhea-48 hours using swab tests to check for the presence of bacteria.
This is probably the difference between viruses and bacteria or fungus.
But you too are probably aware of all of this if you have been reading about std’s.
I think this is why doctors recommended that everybody should get tested at least once a year, especially women, due to other possible uterine, ovarian..etc disorders that don’t show any symptoms.
The problem is that we decide to get tested only when something comes up and we freak.
What kind of sex do you usually practice? Is there a special reason you’re concerned about the testing?
It is hard to know, if you have been exposed, when to get tested as, like you already said, there are no obvious signs in some diseases.
I have been thinking about the same thing actually, although I know that it can take at least 6 months for HIV antibodies to develop, as well as for hepatitic c while Candida can be seen straight away. Chlamydia’s presence can be detected like 30-48 h after infection and gonorrhea-48 hours using swab tests to check for the presence of bacteria.
This is probably the difference between viruses and bacteria or fungus.
But you too are probably aware of all of this if you have been reading about std’s.
I think this is why doctors recommended that everybody should get tested at least once a year, especially women, due to other possible uterine, ovarian..etc disorders that don’t show any symptoms.
The problem is that we decide to get tested only when something comes up and we freak.
What kind of sex do you usually practice? Is there a special reason you’re concerned about the testing?
I always try to practice safe sex by wearing condoms. I always verify if she is on some type of birth control. There have been occasions, however, where I have not. In these instances, however, I make sure I know her past. Nonetheless, I realize this is not 100% fool-proof.
I get tested every 6-12 months, both for my own peace of mind but also for the next who comes along. Mind you, I do not sleep around and I am not a player, but I do pride myself in telling my partner I'm clean.
I ask this because I have uncertainty of test accuracy. One can say they get tested once a month, with each coming back clear, but if the disease has not caused symptoms or affected the body in any way, then of course the test would be inaccurate. Thus, how can you believe anybody when they say they get tested regularly? This includes myself. I'd like to know after what general time frame can one be tested and be SURE anything they COULD have has been accounted for. If we're talking years, then I'm willing to bet at least 80% of those who are sexually active are in fact NOT SURE if they have an STD.
Take HPV and HIV for example. I don't think I've heard one solid answer as to the time line one would be dealing with before showing up in a test. Some men do not even experience symptoms of HPV, as it more commonly shows up in PAP Smears. How can anyone feel safe having sex, protected or not, having so much room for error??
I get tested every 6-12 months, both for my own peace of mind but also for the next who comes along. Mind you, I do not sleep around and I am not a player, but I do pride myself in telling my partner I'm clean.
I ask this because I have uncertainty of test accuracy. One can say they get tested once a month, with each coming back clear, but if the disease has not caused symptoms or affected the body in any way, then of course the test would be inaccurate. Thus, how can you believe anybody when they say they get tested regularly? This includes myself. I'd like to know after what general time frame can one be tested and be SURE anything they COULD have has been accounted for. If we're talking years, then I'm willing to bet at least 80% of those who are sexually active are in fact NOT SURE if they have an STD.
Take HPV and HIV for example. I don't think I've heard one solid answer as to the time line one would be dealing with before showing up in a test. Some men do not even experience symptoms of HPV, as it more commonly shows up in PAP Smears. How can anyone feel safe having sex, protected or not, having so much room for error??
Licensed Dietitian
588 posts
If everyone thought like you, nobody would be having sex at all, heh
However, I wish people thought a bit more than they do.
Although I am not such a big condom fan, I use it all the time (since i learned stuff) because I don’t trust anybody regarding this matter. It is not that I think they lie, but like you said that they might not be aware of it, men even less than women.
You are so right concerning some stuff,…..for example…my friend went to check her excessive vaginal discharge and was sent for the colposcopy to check for warts…and she was found to have warts. But listen to this….they were on vaginal walls but the gyno said they were too small and that she should wait and check them regularly to see if they would grow because there is no use eliminating them now….but nobody asked the question if she would pass them to anyone else, right?
So, you asked the question that can be talked about on and no….with no right answer-it seems to me…
However, I wish people thought a bit more than they do.
Although I am not such a big condom fan, I use it all the time (since i learned stuff) because I don’t trust anybody regarding this matter. It is not that I think they lie, but like you said that they might not be aware of it, men even less than women.
You are so right concerning some stuff,…..for example…my friend went to check her excessive vaginal discharge and was sent for the colposcopy to check for warts…and she was found to have warts. But listen to this….they were on vaginal walls but the gyno said they were too small and that she should wait and check them regularly to see if they would grow because there is no use eliminating them now….but nobody asked the question if she would pass them to anyone else, right?
So, you asked the question that can be talked about on and no….with no right answer-it seems to me…