What Is The Testing Window Period For STD And HIV?

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : two weeks ago i got tested for stds and all tests were negative these were done two weeks after sexual activity is it save to say today that i don;t have an std i haven't had any activity sent the tests

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (24 hours later)

Brief Answer: Repeat tests at 12 weeks Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic. I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I have understood it. Repeat testing is required at 12 weeks. VDRL and TPHA have a window period of 3-12 weeks (window period is the period after infection when it can be detected in a test). HIV rapid test, has a window period of 1-3 months. However Primary Herpes, can be detected as early as a week of infection by ELISA(IgM HSV+ve and IgG HSV-ve). I would advice that you get a repeat testing at 12 weeks for STDs in order to be absolutely certain about your tests. I hope this answers your query. regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

I just had a urine culture this week and it was normal does this mean I don't have any stds

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Repeat tests at 12 weeks Detailed Answer: Hi. Urine culture cant detect STDs. You need to get blood tests for Syphilis, Herpes, HIV. The tests include namely: VDRL for syphilis, HIV Rapid test(ELISA), HSV ELISA. These tests are not positive from day 1 of infection. There is a window period (the time from infection to when it can be first detected by a blood test). The window period varies from 1-3 months. So to be absolutely sure you need to test at 3 months (12 weeks). Negative tests (VDRL, HIV, HSV ELISA) at 2 weeks cannot rule out the infection with 100% surety. regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (47 minutes later)

Would a scope exam of the penis detect any std

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Test for STDs Detailed Answer: Hi. No Sir.. regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar