5 reasons for sexually transmitted diseases even though the test is negative

Not screening enough for the disease

There are many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, pubic lice, HPV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis B… STI testing can mainly identify a diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, HPV. STI screening usually only tests for genital discharge samples, while some types can also cause anal or oral disease.

Testing during the incubation period

Each type of STI has a different incubation period, calculated from the time a person is exposed to the infection to the time they may test positive for it. For example, the incubation period for gonorrhea is 1-14 days, genital herpes is about 2-12 days, but HPV is up to one month to 10 years depending on the strain. Syphilis can incubate from three weeks to 20 years.

The test cannot detect infections that have not passed the incubation period, nor any STIs you are exposed to after the test. The test can only give a positive result when there has been enough incubation time for the body to produce antibodies. If you don’t have antibodies, you will test negative for that STI even if you are infected.

Form of relationship

A common mistake is that STIs can only be transmitted through penetrative sex. In fact, infectious bacteria and viruses not only reside in the genitals but can live on any skin area inside or outside the body, in body fluids.

STIs can be transmitted if sexual intercourse involves skin-to-skin contact or exchange of body fluids (saliva, pre-ejaculate fluid, semen, anal secretions) with an infected person. Some types of STIs can also be transmitted through blood or breast milk.

Protection measures

The risk of STI transmission during sex also depends on the type of protection and how it is used. For example, condoms can only reduce the risk with penetrative sex, while mouth shields limit transmission with oral or anal sex.

To prevent sexually transmitted infections even if you have tested negative, check the expiration date of protective products, store and use them properly, and use with lubricants (avoid oil-based lubricants if using condoms). rubber).

Many STIs have no symptoms

Most sexually transmitted diseases have no or very few symptoms, causing many people to not know they have the disease and transmit it to others. The only way to be sure if you have an STI is to get tested.

Experts recommend that sexually active people get tested once a year or after each new partner. It’s best to get tested for STIs before even having sex with another part of the body.