How long must I wait?

Hi,

I was just wondering if there was a time period (for them to like... be detectable) that you have to wait after having unprotected sex to go and get tested for STIs?

I've spent ages searching Google but not much of any use comes up.

I had a nasty experience on Friday night and want to get checked out ASAP...

Thanks for any help guys.

Reply 1

bunthulhu

Unless I've been missing out on this important nugget of wisdom, no. If you caught anything I'd assume it'd be in your bodily fluids (i.e. blood) pretty quickly so go asap.

EDIT: Unless you count babies as an STD in which case you will have to wait a little while :biggrin:

Reply 2

sssh

I think a lot of them show up pretty soon, but can't it take up to six months for something like HIV to show? Or did I imagine that? Either way, go get tested ASAP because whoever sees you will be able to advise you much better than people on TSR.

Reply 3

bunthulhu

sssh

Actually, that rings a bell :s-smilie:

Reply 4

Phantom Phoenix

bunthulhu

EDIT: Unless you count babies as an STD in which case you will have to wait a little while :biggrin:

LOL!

You're right about HIV, though - it can take anything up to 6 months to appear. You have to be regularly tested over that time to spot any signs of HIV, as far as I know - at any rate, I know someone who was stabbed in Africa, and because the muggers there use one knife for loads of people and HIV prevalence is so high, he's being tested until March to make sure he's clear.

Reply 5

Meep!

Well, the generally accepted thing to do is to go STRAIGHT to your GP and ask them. Only way to get the right answer!

Reply 6

goodmen

I'm guessing this is from the other thread, cant you just ask the guy instead of getting all panicked

Reply 7

bunthulhu

goodmen

I'm guessing this is from the other thread, cant you just ask the guy instead of getting all panicked

Of course, the chances of him not knowing/not admitting it are pretty high.

Reply 8

xlouisax

STIs - i'm not entirely sure
HIV/syphillis/hep B/other blood borne viruses - definitely at least three months (i do a med course). although i am not sure if they can take longer than this