If you are sexually active, then sexually transmitted diseases should always be in mind. Regular STD screening is important for maintaining your sexual and partner's health. If you have multiple sexual partners or usually get involved in risky sexual behaviors, you should stay more vigilant and get STD testing as often as possible.

To answer the question of how long does it take to get STD results, the length of time it takes to complete an STD screening can vary depending on several factors, including the type of test, the number of tests being performed, and the testing facility's availability. For instance, some tests can provide results in as little as 15-30 minutes, while others may take several days or weeks.

It's essential to note that some STDs may not show up in testing immediately after exposure. For instance, HIV may take up to three months to show up on a test after exposure, so follow-up testing may be necessary for accurate results.

STD symptoms

The answer to the question of how long it takes to get STD results is that we'll look at the individual STDs, but before we look into that, let's first highlight some of the common symptoms of STDs.

STDs commonly present with symptoms that can be easily diagnosed if one is aware. The common STD symptoms mostly include;

  • Pain or discomfort during sex
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Itching or irritation around the genitals
  • Bumps, sores, or rashes on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth
  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches
  • Fatigue or a general feeling of being unwell
  • Swollen lymph nodes

How does STD testing work?

Though STD is not part of a regular checkup, it is important to ask for one from your healthcare provider even if you are not experiencing symptoms. This is because some STDs rarely show symptoms, and the only way to know if you have them is through regular testing.

So, if you have indulged in risky sexual behavior and think you have been exposed, be honest with your doctor and tell them the symptoms you are experiencing. Depending on the symptoms, your provider may recommend one or several of the following tests:

 

Physical exam

Before your provider performs any test, they will examine you physically. Physical exams are particularly for infections that may not have obvious symptoms or may be located in areas that are not easily visible, such as the cervix, rectum, or throat.

During a physical exam for STIs, your healthcare provider will examine your genital area, anus, and throat and look for any signs of infection, such as sores, lesions, or discharge. They also perform a pelvic exam or rectal exam.

Your provider will often use physical exams with other testing methods, such as swabs or blood tests, to diagnose STIs.

 

Urine sample

A urine sample is a test commonly used to test for the presence of the bacteria causing chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. So, if your provider believes you might have one of these conditions, they will use a urine sample.

They will ask you to collect your urine sample in a cup and then send it to the laboratory for analysis.

The urine sample is a convenient and non-invasive way to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, but it is not as accurate as the swab test.

 

Swab test

A swab test is used for infections in the genital area, rectum, or throat. Swab tests can be used for various STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

It uses a cotton-tipped swab to collect the fluid sample from the affected area. Swab tests are the most accurate and reliable, and providers prefer often prefer them over other testing methods, such as urine samples, for certain types of STIs.

 

Blood test

A blood test is the most accurate test for STDs as it can detect the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to an STI. Providers use a blood test to test several STIs, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.

The testing process typically involves collecting a small sample of blood, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

 

Image alt: STD blood testing.

Author credit: By Ja muzalevskaya, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Human_Blood_Test.jpg

 

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)

NAAT is a type of laboratory test used to detect the presence of specific DNA or RNA sequences, including those of STIs. NAATs commonly diagnose STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

When performing a NAAT, your provider will take a sample from urine or blood and swab samples from the genital area or throat and take it to the laboratory for analysis. 

 

Viral culture

Viral culture is used to test for the presence of a virus. It is used to diagnose viral STDs like herpes and human papillomavirus. It is the most accurate test for herpes or HPV.

During diagnosis, a fluid sample is collected from a blister or sore or a sample of cells from the cervix or affected areas and placed on a special culture medium.

Viral culture tests can take several days to a week to produce results, as the sample needs to be cultured and observed over time.

How long does it take to get STD results?

This is a frequently asked question due to the nature of the condition. STDs are viewed differently in society, and those with these conditions usually undergo stigmatization. Because of this, most people shy from talking about their conditions, and they usually want it to remain a secret.

That's why people need answers to this disturbing question, how long does it take to get STD results? Generally, STD screening is easy, quick, and pain-free. STD testing can be done in a few minutes, though some may take 2-3 days or a few weeks.

But the time it takes to get STD test results depends on the type of test and the STD being tested. Let's look at the individual STDs and how long they take to get the results.

Gonorrhea

The amount of time it takes to get gonorrhea test results can vary depending on the type of test used and the laboratory processing the sample.

The nucleic acid amplification test takes 1-2 days to get results. Urine and swab tests for gonorrhea usually take 2-3 days for the results.

Chlamydia

NAAT, swab tests, and urine tests can be used to diagnose chlamydia, and they work the same as gonorrhea. These tests can take 2-3 days for the results to be available.

Syphilis

A standard blood test for syphilis can take a few days to a week for the results to be available or 24-48 hours after collecting the sample. However, the exact time frame can vary depending on the laboratory and workload.

If your initial syphilis test is positive, your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as a treponemal test or a fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test. These tests may take longer to process and require additional time to confirm the diagnosis.

Herpes

Herpes can be diagnosed using viral culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Both tests take a few days for the results to be available.

There is also a blood test available for herpes that detects antibodies to the virus, which can indicate a current or past infection. This test can take several days to a week to produce results.

Herpes can be difficult to diagnose, as the virus can be dormant and may not always be present in a sample. Herpes diagnosis can sometimes return false positive or false.

HIV

The time it takes to get HIV test results can vary depending on the type of test being used.

Most community settings use rapid HIV test, which is fast and takes 20-30 minutes for the results to be available.

Some providers use standard blood-based HIV tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or chemiluminescence immunoassay. This test takes days or a week to get results.

Providers can also use nucleic acid tests to detect early HIV infection. The results can take up to two weeks or longer.

Conclusion

The duration of an STD screening can vary based on multiple factors, including the number of tests being performed, the type of testing method used, and whether or not a confirmatory test is needed.

Most clinics typically offer same-day rapid testing for common STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, with results available within 20 minutes. However, testing for herpes or HIV may require more time and involve waiting a few days for lab results.

It is essential to note that some infections like syphilis and human papillomavirus (HPV) may take weeks or months to manifest symptoms. Therefore, it's advisable to get tested regularly based on your sexual activity history to avoid any potential complications.

Contributor: admin