When can you test for STIs?
You'll get the most reliable result from your STI test if you take the test after the window period has ended. The window period is the time between the moment of infection (the unsafe sexual contact) and the time that the infection can be detected by a laboratory test. Taking an STI test after the window period means you'll know for sure whether or not you've got that STI.
Can you test for an STI earlier if you have symptoms?
An STI does not always cause noticeable symptoms; in fact, many STIs cause no symptoms at all. If you have STI symptoms and do not want to wait for the window period to end, you can test earlier. If the results show that you do not have an STI, we advise you to repeat the test.
When can you reliably test for STIs
| STI | Window period (reliably test after this period) |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 14 days |
| Gonorrhea | 14 days |
| Trichomonas | 21 days |
| Syphilis | 4 weeks |
| HIV 1 | 4 weeks |
| HIV 2 | 6 weeks (HIV 2 is almost non-existent in the Netherlands) |
| Hepatitis B | 8 weeks |
| Hepatitis C | 8 weeks |
The incubation period is sometimes confused with the window period. The incubation period is the time it may take for symptoms to occur after first getting an infection. This is nothing to do with whether the infection can be detected by laboratory testing.
Please note: The window periods shown above apply only to Soapoli-online tests and may differ from the national guideline. We use the latest generation of tests which provide reliable results faster. If you test after the window period and follow the collection instructions carefully then your result is almost 100% reliable.
Soapoli-online is here for you
We, Klazien and Marlous, are here to help you answer your STI questions as quickly as possible. We use our years of experience as STI nurses to advise, guide and help you as well and as quickly as we can. After all, we think it's very important that you - as a Soapoli-online customer - are offered the best possible care when it comes to an STI.
In 2011, we started Soapoli-online to help people reliably test for STIs without having to go to the doctor or other health care provider. Since then, we have helped about 50,000 people every year for more than 10 years.
Safe and reliable...
Soapoli-online works with the Dr. STEIN laboratory to test the samples. This is an ISO-certified lab that delivers very fast results with the best quality. On this page you can read all about the quality of our tests.
As well as very reliable tests, our service is comprehensive and we will do everything we can to help you so that you have certainty quickly.