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Home / Answered Questions / Hello, Last weekend, I had unprotected oral sex and protected intercourse with someone who is high risk (who has multiple sex partners). I am male and in my end 20s. As far as I know, the risks related to STIs in this situation are highest for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis – is that right? My question is if a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is already reasonably accurate, if I get tested in one week from now (i.e. 8 to 9 days after potential exposure). For syphilis I should wait 3 weeks and made repeat after 5-6 weeks? Thanks!

Hello, Last weekend, I had unprotected oral sex and protected intercourse with someone who is high risk (who has multiple sex partners). I am male and in my end 20s. As far as I know, the risks related to STIs in this situation are highest for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis – is that right? My question is if a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is already reasonably accurate, if I get tested in one week from now (i.e. 8 to 9 days after potential exposure). For syphilis I should wait 3 weeks and made repeat after 5-6 weeks? Thanks!

Hi

That is correct chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis would be the main one’s we would test for and pass with the type of sex you have described.

Have a look at our “Know your chances” web page, it provides information on your chances of getting or passing an STI depending on how you are having sex.

We find that most gonorrhea and chlamydia will show up on a urine or swab test by 2 weeks and most syphilis will show up by 6 weeks on a blood test (sometimes can take up to 3 months). I would recommend waiting 2 weeks before getting the gonorrhea and chlamydia test and 6 weeks before getting the blood test. It’s also ok doing the blood test at the 2 week visit and then coming back later on for a retest to cover the window period. If you get any symptoms that concern you come in straight away.

Have a look at our “STIs at a glance” chart, it provides information on how long you need to wait before getting tested (window period). Most STI don’t show symptoms but the chart lists some of the common symptoms to watch for as well.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on July 11, 2016.