It is really important for every sexually active person to acquire some knowledge regarding basic STDs. Whether you are prone to have one or have engaged in unprotected sex you should know when it will get detected in a test as it not does every time. In this post, we will let you know incubation period of the STDs along with the right time of getting tested! So, let’s start reading.
The incubation period of STD
On getting infected with the STD, the body consumes some time for the recognition of the disease. Accordingly, it will start generating antibodies which is why it is natural not to observe any symptoms during the first few days.
In case screening and test for an STD is performed during the incubation period or early then it may come out as false negative due to lack of antibody production in the body yet!
Additionally, many STDs take much time to showcase symptoms at the same time. Luckily, antibodies are used for carrying out STD test so observation of symptoms is not given much importance. So, you can be easily tagged as a positive to any STD even if there is no symptom in your body yet.
How early you can undergo STD screening and test?
Each STD possesses a specific incubation period respectively! After some days of invasion the health, it starts generating symptoms and antibodies. Certain STDs are there which consume several months and weeks to showcase its potential symptoms. Check the chart mentioned below to know the incubation period of some STDs.
| STD | Incubation Period |
| Chlamydia | 7 to 21 days |
| Genital Herpes | 2 to 12 days |
| Gonorrhoea | 1 to 14 days |
| Hepatitis A | 15 to 50 days |
| Hepatitis B | 8 to 22 weeks |
| Hepatitis C | 2 to 26 weeks |
| HIV | 2 to 4 weeks |
| HPV | 1 month to 10 years (depends on its strains) |
| Oral Herpes | 2 to 12 days |
| Syphilis | 3 weeks to 20 years (depends on its kind) |
| Trichomoniasis | 5 to 28 days |
Testing chart for STDs
Testing type and recommendation can be well understood after going through the STD incubation chart. Generally, once the incubation period is over an antibody-centric blood test is performed to figure out the trace of STD in your body. There are some STDs accompanying lesions and in this case, diagnosis is done via urine, culture, and swab tests.
| STD | Kind | Incubation Period | Test Type | Retesting post-treatment |
| Chlamydia | bacterial | 7 to 21 days | Urine, swab and blood tests | 3 months |
| Gential Herpes | viral | 2 to 12 days | Blood, culture and ulcer tests | None (Long-term virus) |
| Gonorrhoea | bacterial | 1 to 14 days | Urine, swab and blood tests | 3 months |
| Hepatitis A | viral | 15 to 50 days | Specific antibody blood test | None (Long-term virus) |
| Hepatitis B | viral | 8 to 22 weeks | Specific antibody blood test | None (Long-term virus) |
| Hepatitis C | viral | 2 to 26 weeks | Specific antibody blood test | None (Long-term virus) |
| HIV | viral | 2 to 4 weeks | Specific antibody/antigen blood test | None (Long-term virus) |
| HPV | viral | 1 month to 10 years (depends on strain kinds) | Pap smear | None (Long-term virus) |
| Oral Herpes | viral | 2 to 12 days | Blood, culture and ulcer test | None (Long-term virus) |
| Syphilis | bacterial | 3 weeks to 20 years (depends on its kinds) | Blood test | 4 weeks |
| Trichomoniasis | parasitic | 5 to 28 days | NAAT blood test | 2 weeks |
There are some long-term viral STDs and if retesting is suggested for bacterial STD then blood test is primarily done to detect its presence. Also after the grand success of treatment blood test is suggested for the confirmation of the actual disease and diagnosis.
Is it possible for any STD to stay dormant and not to be detected?
STD can be asymptomatic in many cases as they are latent and try to stay dormant in the body. Due to this feature the individual can’t be diagnosed and treated until the disease commences exhibiting some potential signs and symptoms.
This makes the person more vulnerable to suffer from associated long-term physical complications. Syphilis, HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), HIV, Hepatitis C and Chlamydia are some STDs owning a specific latency period respectively.
So, frequent STD screening is mandatory to keep an eye on the dormant STD enabling it to receive proper treatment (if detected). As per CDC recommendation every sexually active person with multiple or new sex partners should perform the test at least once a year for STDs specifically for Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia. The people who have unprotected sex should get tested more frequently as well.
Initial detection and treatments benefits
When you suspect having an STD, stop indulging in any sort of sexual activity. Visit your nearest GUM clinic to obtain medial help. Always remember initial detection and treatment of STDs has an integral role to play in resisting its transmission from you to any other healthy bodies. Also, it saves your life as some STDs can be fatal sometimes.
Some untreated STDs’ potential risks are mentioned below for your reference:
- Syphilis leads to death, paralysis and dementia and organ damage
- HPV affects the health of female by causing cervical cancer
- Untreated Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia interferes with women’s health by causing infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease
- Hepatitis B, HIV and bacterial STDs lead to birth-oriented and pregnancy risks
Your sexual health status is your responsibility. Not every person will intentionally disclose their respective sexual health status in front of you. You can also maintain your sexual health only by screening the partners, engaging in an honest and open discussion with your sex partners and highlighting important questions on it.
To ensure proper care of the sexual health, it is very important to account diagnosis and treatment of STDs at Private STD clinic in London in its initial phase. But at the same time, you should consider the respective incubation period of the STDs so that you don’t get tested too early.
Otherwise, seeking proper medical attention will be really difficult. If you found as positive for any parasitic, viral and bacterial STD, proper treatment will alleviate its intensity which can lead to any associated long-term medical complexities.
