It depends. You should get tested right away if you have any of the most common symptoms listed in this std/998">FAQ.

Since many STDs have no symptoms, you can’t rely on symptoms alone. The longer an STD goes untreated, the more damage it can do to you and others. STDs don’t go away on their own. They must be treated. For example, a herpes sore may come and go, but the herpes virus stays in a person’s body and can still be transmitted to a partner when the sore isn’t present.

Like we said earlier, it really depends on the STD. Some (like gonorrhea and chlamydia) can be detected in the body soon after you have been infected, even if you have no symptoms. Infections like HPV and herpes can sometimes be detected in the blood before they show up on the skin, but those tests do not always pick up the infection before visible symptoms occur.

Other infections (like HIV) require a waiting period so that enough of the virus, bacteria or antibodies are present and detected on the test. Antibodies are created when you get a particular infection and your body tries to fight it. In the case of HIV, it can take up to three months for enough antibodies to be produced in the blood to cause a positive HIV test result.

When you go to get tested, you will need to be prepared to share personal information with the health care provider. The provider will ask you about the types of sexual behaviors you did, the number of partners you had and when you  last might have been at risk for getting an STD. Health care providers are not there to judge you, so it’s important for you to be honest. In nearly all health care settings, this information is completely confidential, meaning the information won’t be shared with anyone. When you make your appointment, make sure you ask about that health care center’s policy on confidentiality just to be sure.