How Long Does It Take To Get Std Symptoms

Here's When You Should Get an STI Test

November 3, 2021

Key takeaways:

Most people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) don't have any symptoms.
You can get testing and treatment for STIs even if you don't have insurance.
The best time to get tested for an STI is 2 to 6 weeks after a sexual encounter.

Cropped shot of people's legs and bodies intertwined while they lay together in bed. — filadendron/iStock via Getty Images

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are passed from one person to another during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The most common STIs reported in the U.S. are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Syphilis, HIV, and genital herpes are also common. It can be hard to know where to start when you're worried about having an STI. How do you know if you have an STI? And when should you get tested? We'll review these topics and when you need to get an STI test.

What are symptoms of an STI?

Different STIs can cause different symptoms. Sometimes STIs don't cause any symptoms at all.

Gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause:

Burning when urinating (peeing)
Yellow or green discharge from the penis or vagina
Testicular pain
Rectal pain or bleeding
Pain during sex

Syphilis and genital herpes cause ulcers on the penis or vagina. HIV can cause mild, flu-like symptoms that may include:

Fever
Chills
Muscle aches
Sore throat

Many times, people with an STI don't have any symptoms, so they don't realize they need treatment. This is how people can unknowingly pass an STI to someone else.

When do STI symptoms start?

Symptoms from gonorrhea and chlamydia take 2 to 3 weeks to appear.

HIV, genital herpes, and syphilis are trickier. Some people have symptoms within 1 to 3 weeks. Others don't have symptoms for months or even years.

And many people never have any symptoms from any of these STIs.

Can I get an STI from someone who has no symptoms?

Yes. You can get an STI from someone who has no symptoms.

If you have an STI but don't have symptoms, it's still possible to pass the STI to someone else.

That's why it's important to use condoms and get tested regularly for STIs — even if you don't have any STI symptoms.

What should you do if you have STI symptoms?

You should get tested if you ever have any symptoms you think could be from an STI.

You can get tested at a clinic, doctor's office, or even in your own home using a test kit. You don't need insurance to get testing — many places offer reduced cost or even free testing.

How soon can you get tested for an STI?

You don't need to get tested for STIs right away if you recently had unprotected sex. It's possible to get tested "too soon" for an STI. You might get a "false negative" test if you get tested too soon. That means you actually do have an STI, but the test doesn't show it yet.

Here's when you should be tested:

Chlamydia: Get tested 2 weeks after your sexual encounter.
Gonorrhea: Get tested 2 weeks after your sexual encounter.
Syphilis: Get tested 1 to 3 months after your sexual encounter.
HIV: Get tested 2 to 6 weeks after your sexual encounter.
Herpes: Get tested 1 to 4 months after your sexual encounter.

If you test positive for an STI — don't panic. Your healthcare provider will go over treatment options with you.

The bottom line

Sexally transmitted infections are common but often don't cause symptoms. If you have symptoms that could be from an STI — get tested right away. You can get testing done at many healthcare facilities even if you don't have insurance. The right time to get testing is usually 2 to 4 weeks after a sexual encounter.