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Use the table below to determine when you should get tested following exposure to an STD. How soon should I test for STDs after exposure? If you believe you have been exposed to a specific STD, it’s important to learn about its incubation period so you know how long you should wait to get tested. That’s why it is so important to wait until the incubation period is over to get tested for STDs.Įach STD has a unique incubation period. For some STDs, the incubation period for testing can be as short as a week or two, and for other STDs, as long as a few months. If you take a test during the incubation period, your body may not have had enough time to produce antibodies yet, which means you could test negative even if you really are infected. If these antibodies are present, you will test positive, but if they are not present in your sample, you will test negative.īecause STD tests look for the presence of antibodies, testing too early could lead to false negative results. Most STD tests determine whether or not you have an STD by looking for the presence of specific types of antibodies in a sample of your blood, urine, or saliva. The time that it takes your body to identify the STD and produce these antibodies is known as the incubation period. Once the STD has been detected, your body will begin to produce antibodies to fight it. If you are exposed to an STD, your body will need time to recognize it in your system. When to get tested for an STD is an important question. To determine when you should get tested, it’s important to understand how the body responds to STDs. How long does it take to get an STD? When should you get tested? Here’s what you need to know: What Is An STD Incubation Period? If you get tested before your body has responded to the STD, it will be too early for the test to detect the STD in your system. It takes time for your body to recognize and respond to the STD once you are exposed to it. But in fact, getting tested too early may lead to inaccurate results. If you have potentially been exposed to an STD, you may think that getting tested immediately is imperative.
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