This section discusses testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) prior to having unprotected sex with a partner. It explains the various tests, incubation and window periods for a variety of STIs..
Talk with your partner and test now
First you can talk with your partner and hopefully he or she will agree to go for testing. STI testing is available at clinics and doctors offices throughout BC. It is a good idea to test before any sexual contact or as soon as possible after you start having sex. You may need to retest at a later time.
Window periods and limitations of STI testing
STI testing requires some considerations, including the incubation period and window periods. An incubation period is defined as the period of time between the initial contact with the infection and the onset of symptoms. A window period is defined as the period of time between the initial contact with the infection and the ability for the diagnostic (lab) tests to detect the infection.
Window periods vary from a few days to 3 months. During window periods, an infected person can transmit the infection to someone else. The window period tends to be longer for blood tests than for other tests, as generally the test looks for the person's immune response to fight the infection rather than for the infectious organism itself.
Remember with STI testing that you can still develop the infection after the tests are taken. A person could, therefore, have received recent negative test results yet still have an infection that could be transmitted to others. Also, while tests are mostly accurate they can be falsely negative and very occasionally, falsely positive.
Specific STI Window Periods
Gonorrhea
The window period for Gonorrhea is usually 2 to 7 days.
Chlamydia
The window period for Chlamydia is usually 14 to 21 days, but can be longer.
Syphilis
The window period for Syphilis is usually 21 to 28 days.
HIV
The window period for HIV is usually 2 weeks to 3 months.
Hepatitis A
The window period for Hepatitis A is 15 to 50 days.
Hepatitis B
The window period for Hepatitis B is usually 49 to 98 days.
Hepatitis C
The incubation period for Hepatitis C ranges from 42 - 70 days.
Talk with your partner about herpes & warts
Herpes is very common. Herpes tests are not necessarily useful. Herpes lesion test/swab (HSV PCR) is recommended when sores, blisters or lesions are present and can be detected within 2-12 days. Herpes simplex virus blood tests do not indicate whether the infection is genital or oral and it can take up to 4 months for herpes antibodies to show up in the blood. Most people test positive on herpes blood tests because they were exposed to the virus orally as a child. Therefore, it is a good idea to discuss herpes with any new partner. Have you or your partner ever had genital herpes or cold sores on the mouth? Have either of you ever had genital herpes diagnosed?
Genital warts (caused by strains of the human papillomavirus or HPV) are also very common. There is currently no testing technology available for HPV. Diagnosis of genital warts is made by a health care provider (i.e., physician or nurse) on examination.
Discussing these two infections early in a relationship can help reduce the chance of transmission.
Test later
As the window period for chlamydia is up to 6 weeks, you can test at or after 6 weeks from the start of your relationship. It makes sense to test for gonorrhea at the same time since generally these tests are done together. The routine STI blood tests - syphilis, HIV and possibly hepatitis - can be taken at 3 months. Most positive results would show up on an HIV and hepatitis test within 3 months of infection.
Stopping the use of condoms
One reason couples seek STI testing is so that they can safely stop using condoms. It is important to remember to cover the window periods for the infections and make sure any symptoms of herpes and warts have been resolved. Heterosexual couples who are not intending to start a family need to find an alternative form of contraception.
Many people wish to stop using condoms as soon as possible. As the romance intensifies and people feel more comfortable with each other, it is easy to start to feel that this partner could not possibly have an STI and condoms are an unnecessary barrier. However when the relationship is over, sometimes not too long afterwards, many people will regret the decision to have unprotected sex. To reduce STIs, it is advantageous to reduce the number of lifetime sexual partners, in particular, unprotected sex. The longer you use condoms the better.
