Should I Get Tested?
Why Is It Important To Get Tested?
Leaving STIs untreated can lead to spreading the disease to your sexual partner.
It can also lead to different complications depending on the disease-causing organism.
Some health-related complications that may arise from STIs include:
- Infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease and pelvic pain
- Cervical cancer
- Pregnancy complications
How long after sex should I be tested?
After unprotected sexual contact you can have a test to check for any sexually transmitted infections or STIs.
In order to make sure the test is accurate; you may be asked to repeat the test after a certain amount of time after the sexual contact. This time is also known as a “window period”. The window periods are different for different infections.
Listed below are a few examples:
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea – two weeks after sexual contact.
- HIV – one month after sexual contact.
- Syphilis and Hepatitis – three months after sexual contact.
You Should Get Tested If You Have:
- Symptoms
- A sexual partner has symptoms or confirmed STI
- Unprotected Sex
- Multiple Sexual Partners
- Recently changed sexual partner