How long does it typically take for symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to appear?
Disease description:
I had unprotected sex last week and am worried about contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). How long does it usually take for STI symptoms to appear?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Luo Yong
The time it takes for symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to appear generally depends on the specific type of STI, as different STIs have varying incubation periods. For genital herpes, the incubation period is typically 2–14 days. In cases of gonorrhea, symptoms usually develop within 3–5 days; for gonococcal urethritis, symptoms typically appear around two weeks after exposure. For genital warts (caused by human papillomavirus), the incubation period tends to be longer—often 1–5 months, and sometimes even longer.
