Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Is The Window Period For Antibody Testing Of Various STDs?
Question: doc i have one question is roughly 2 weeks good enough for me to get some indication of std's or sti's. will they show in the panel screening?
Brief Answer:
Time to be tested depends on the particular STD
Detailed Answer:
Various STDs have different time interval for when they are best to be screened. Here is information about when to get tested for each:
1. HIV: You can test immediately, but to be sure you should get tested at 3 months as it takes that long for the antibodies to form. The HIV RNA test can be done in 11 days (tests for the virus instead of antibodies) - but this test can be pricey.
2. Chlamydia: As soon as 5 days after exposure - so now would be fine.
3. Gonorrhea: 6 days after exposure.
4. Syphilis: 6 weeks after exposure. You can get tested now if you want, but the recommendations are to then be retested after 6 wks.
5. Herpes: 4-6 weeks.
6. Hepatitis C: 9 weeks.
7. Hepatitis B: 6 weeks.
The tests are done in different ways. Some are swabs. Some are blood tests.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Time to be tested depends on the particular STD
Detailed Answer:
Various STDs have different time interval for when they are best to be screened. Here is information about when to get tested for each:
1. HIV: You can test immediately, but to be sure you should get tested at 3 months as it takes that long for the antibodies to form. The HIV RNA test can be done in 11 days (tests for the virus instead of antibodies) - but this test can be pricey.
2. Chlamydia: As soon as 5 days after exposure - so now would be fine.
3. Gonorrhea: 6 days after exposure.
4. Syphilis: 6 weeks after exposure. You can get tested now if you want, but the recommendations are to then be retested after 6 wks.
5. Herpes: 4-6 weeks.
6. Hepatitis C: 9 weeks.
7. Hepatitis B: 6 weeks.
The tests are done in different ways. Some are swabs. Some are blood tests.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
can i ask regarding hepatitis B can that be detected earlier like 2 or 4 weeks in ?
Brief Answer:
4 weeks is the earliest.
Detailed Answer:
The earliest it is generally detected is 4 weeks.
Here is some information about that from the Hepatitis B Foundation. http://www.hepb.org/patients/prevention_and_vaccination.htm
and from the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm
4 weeks is the earliest.
Detailed Answer:
The earliest it is generally detected is 4 weeks.
Here is some information about that from the Hepatitis B Foundation. http://www.hepb.org/patients/prevention_and_vaccination.htm
and from the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ok thanks ,and you wouldnt be able to use liver teats aor anything to see if there is such an infection correct but if you have symptoms then when you test it will show up correct ?
Brief Answer:
Yes, the symptoms don't come on for 1-4 months
Detailed Answer:
Most sources say that symptoms would not start until 1 month (4 wks). But many people who have Hepatitis B never get any symptoms at all.
Do you think there is a strong chance that you were exposed to Hepatitis B? It is overall decreasing in the United States. If you were just exposed, you can go get immunoglobulin treatment for it, or the vaccine.
Yes, the symptoms don't come on for 1-4 months
Detailed Answer:
Most sources say that symptoms would not start until 1 month (4 wks). But many people who have Hepatitis B never get any symptoms at all.
Do you think there is a strong chance that you were exposed to Hepatitis B? It is overall decreasing in the United States. If you were just exposed, you can go get immunoglobulin treatment for it, or the vaccine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
well im not sure but if i think i have symptoms and they are the case then if i go to my doc it will show up in a test correct ? because right now im 3 days from 2 weeks and i could test for mostvof the stds except hepatitis and i would have to redo the syphillis and possibly herpes. but yeah so if i do testing now it will show if i am clear of most yes?? and if i have hepatitis symptoms then thatbwill show in the std test yes ?
Brief Answer:
You could get the chlamydia and gonorrhea tests done now for sure.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, you would need to get the syphilis and herpes tests checked again, and probably the HIV (at 3 months).
For Hep B, if you starting having symptoms (jaundice, etc) the doctor could do both a hepatitis B panel (checks for active and past hepatitis B) as well as check you for any liver damage by getting a liver function test (a blood test of level of liver enzymes in the blood). Do know that most people, even if they get Hepatitis B, do make a full recovery.
You could get the chlamydia and gonorrhea tests done now for sure.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, you would need to get the syphilis and herpes tests checked again, and probably the HIV (at 3 months).
For Hep B, if you starting having symptoms (jaundice, etc) the doctor could do both a hepatitis B panel (checks for active and past hepatitis B) as well as check you for any liver damage by getting a liver function test (a blood test of level of liver enzymes in the blood). Do know that most people, even if they get Hepatitis B, do make a full recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks doc just 3 more and this is my last reply please could you answer them as i lut them so i understand you better please.
1 ) so the syphillis and herpes can show now but the second checknis to confirm or be conclusive?
2) all those tests for hepatitis would so the virus correct and also if it doesnt then that means my symptoms could be skmething else or stress or paranoia correct it means that the virus isnt there currently?
3) then i would check for hepatitis at a later stage to confirn correct ? but if i check now i should get a good idea and confirmation for most besides obviously hepatitis and herps and syphillis ?
your help is really appreciated.
1 ) so the syphillis and herpes can show now but the second checknis to confirm or be conclusive?
2) all those tests for hepatitis would so the virus correct and also if it doesnt then that means my symptoms could be skmething else or stress or paranoia correct it means that the virus isnt there currently?
3) then i would check for hepatitis at a later stage to confirn correct ? but if i check now i should get a good idea and confirmation for most besides obviously hepatitis and herps and syphillis ?
your help is really appreciated.
Brief Answer:
some answers to your questions:
Detailed Answer:
1. Yes, on go ahead and test now and recheck on syphilis and herpes.
2. Yes, you would not get any symptoms of Hepatitis B for at least a month.
3. Yes, you can get checked now.
I just read over your previous questions to other docs and see that you are concerned about a discharge. When you go in, tell the doctor about this and they can order a urine culture. But Hepatitis B would not be causing this right now. Also, it sounds like it is unlikely you had a significant exposure to get sexually transmitted diseases.
I hope this will put your mind at rest. I can understand the stress you must feel after your experience, but your risks are low.
some answers to your questions:
Detailed Answer:
1. Yes, on go ahead and test now and recheck on syphilis and herpes.
2. Yes, you would not get any symptoms of Hepatitis B for at least a month.
3. Yes, you can get checked now.
I just read over your previous questions to other docs and see that you are concerned about a discharge. When you go in, tell the doctor about this and they can order a urine culture. But Hepatitis B would not be causing this right now. Also, it sounds like it is unlikely you had a significant exposure to get sexually transmitted diseases.
I hope this will put your mind at rest. I can understand the stress you must feel after your experience, but your risks are low.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you doc i did go to my doc and fwt tests done i noticed i had XXXXXXX abdomjnal pains and disckmfort too so will wait till i get a result thank you
Brief Answer:
Good - now you can relax.
Detailed Answer:
The abdominal pains are unlikely to be from an STD and as it is, your risks are low.
Good luck, and if you have no further questions, you can go ahead and close the discussion.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Good - now you can relax.
Detailed Answer:
The abdominal pains are unlikely to be from an STD and as it is, your risks are low.
Good luck, and if you have no further questions, you can go ahead and close the discussion.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i will thank you once again
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Best wishes to you!
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Best wishes to you!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
