How Soon do STD Symptoms Appear?

Many people feel stressed in the days following a sexual encounter. If you’ve had unprotected sex with a partner you don’t know very well, you might be concerned about a number of issues, including sexually transmitted diseases. Unfortunately, most folks only worry about an STD for a few days, and –– if no symptoms appear –– they’ll forget about it. THIS IS A MISTAKE. STDs aren’t like fictitious infections that manifest aggressively and obviously after a few hours of exposure. Rather, STD symptoms might not appear for days, weeks, months, or even years after the fact. In some cases, STDs never exhibit any symptoms. But that’s not to say STDs aren’t dangerous. In fact, untreated STDs can cause a number of internal issues –– including death. So how soon do STD symptoms appear? We’re here to answer that question, and let you know how to get tested and treated to avoid any worst-case scenarios.

What Do STD Symptoms Look Like?

Though certain STDs share many characteristics, no two STDs are the same. As such, the signs and symptoms associated with STDs are unique to the specific infection. What’s more, “common” STD symptoms like bumps around the pubic area or discharge from the genitals can be confused for other issues like ingrown hairs, pimples, or yeast infections. Yes, it’s good to know the signs and symptoms associated with STDs. But it’s more important to seek out testing after a sexual dalliance. Resist the urge to play doctor and go speak with a professional instead.

Am I at Risk for STDs?

If you’ve had sex, then yes, you could’ve picked up an STD. Even sex with a condom doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of STD transmission. Furthermore, “sex” includes all forms of sexual activity, including (but not limited to): Oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex, heterosexual sex, gay sex, lesbian sex. Heck, you can even get an STD from kissing under certain conditions.

When Do STD Symptoms Appear?

As we mentioned above, there’s no way to know for sure when (or if) STD symptoms will appear. In general though, you can use this guide as a rough estimate for STD incubation periods:

 

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