How Long After Exposure Do STD Symptoms Appear?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 21st, 2026.
STD symptoms typically appear within 2 weeks to 3 months after exposure, though timing varies significantly by infection type. Chlamydia and gonorrhea symptoms usually emerge within 1-3 weeks, while syphilis develops a painless sore within 10-90 days. Herpes symptoms appear 2-12 days after contact, and HIV can remain asymptomatic for years. However, up to 80% of STD cases remain completely asymptomatic, making regular testing crucial regardless of symptom presence. Some infections like hepatitis B may not show symptoms for 6 months. If you've had unprotected contact, consider testing after the appropriate window period rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
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