HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

How Soon After Unprotected Sex Should Get Tested For STI?

default
Posted on Mon, 18 Feb 2013
Question: hi, my boyfriend slept with another woman without protection, how soon can he go for an STI check that if he caught anything, it will show up?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (2 hours later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting.

Symptoms of gonorrhea usually occur 2-5 days after infection, but how ever in men it can take like a month before manifesting, but tests can show positive just a few days after. Syphilis and chlamydia can take a longer time to manifest symptoms especially if primary syphilis or might never manifest at all. My suggestion is for him to get tested now for all the STIs including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis etc ( to make sure he has no previous infection). Then he can redo testing 2-3 months after to confirm he is completely free as some infections take a longer time for seroconversion (ability for a microorganism after being infected into another host to be able to become infective or show positive test results) to occur.

Thank you and hope this helps

Dr Nsah
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
How Soon After Unprotected Sex Should Get Tested For STI?

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting.

Symptoms of gonorrhea usually occur 2-5 days after infection, but how ever in men it can take like a month before manifesting, but tests can show positive just a few days after. Syphilis and chlamydia can take a longer time to manifest symptoms especially if primary syphilis or might never manifest at all. My suggestion is for him to get tested now for all the STIs including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis etc ( to make sure he has no previous infection). Then he can redo testing 2-3 months after to confirm he is completely free as some infections take a longer time for seroconversion (ability for a microorganism after being infected into another host to be able to become infective or show positive test results) to occur.

Thank you and hope this helps

Dr Nsah