Frequently Asked Questions
How To Examine Your Tonsils
You can examine tonsils yourself to check for an infection. Healthy tonsils are pink and don't stick out far from the sides of your throat. Infected tonsils are typically red and swollen.
Tonsils are oval-shaped nodes on both sides of the back of the throat. They can help the immune system clear out viruses and bacteria that enter through the mouth and nose.
When they're healthy, lymph nodes are pinkish and don't take up too much space in the throat. But they can swell and turn red if they become infected or inflamed. It's worth noting that some people have naturally large (or hypertrophic) tonsils. This doesn't mean they're sick.
Infected or swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of several conditions or illnesses. If you're not feeling well, have a sore throat, or suspect your tonsils may be infected, you can look at them yourself to check for an infection.
Inflamed tonsils are red and swollen. They usually cause a sore throat. They may also cause a fever and difficulty swallowing, among other symptoms.
You can check for swollen tonsils yourself. Here's how:
If they're healthy, tonsils are pinkish, and they may not stick out far from the sides of your throat.
If they're infected, however, they're likely red and swollen. You may also notice a yellow or white coating on the tonsils. White spots on them are possible, too.
An infection in the tonsils is called tonsillitis. It usually occurs from a virus or bacteria. Many doctors will do additional tests to understand the cause of your tonsillitis so they can properly treat you.
Potential health concerns associated with tonsillitis include:
If you think you may have swollen tonsils, your doctor may do a thorough exam to identify potential causes and treatments. That process begins with asking about symptoms and getting a full history of what you've been experiencing.
From there, the doctor may do an exam. This includes looking at the throat and possibly your nose and ears. They can look specifically at the back of the throat and inside of the mouth.
If they suspect a viral or bacterial infection, the doctor can order a few tests that can help clarify a potential cause. They can use a long, soft cotton swab to collect a sample of the saliva at the back of the throat. Healthcare professionals can quickly test this in the office for some illnesses, like the flu and strep throat.
A doctor may also test for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), as well as do a full viral panel or a gonorrhea/Chlamydia swab if symptoms or risk factors are present.
If those come back negative, healthcare professionals may send the samples to a lab for further testing. This testing process will look at other potential causes.
Once the healthcare professionals find the cause, the doctor may prescribe a treatment, such as antibiotics.
The tonsils are an important part of the body's immune system. They protect against viruses and bacteria that enter the nose and throat. Sometimes, however, the tonsils can become infected or inflamed. A sore throat is common if this happens.
You can see whether you have red or swollen tonsils by looking at them in a mirror. To do this, open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and look at the middle part of the throat. Inflamed tonsils are often red and enlarged.
Sometimes, inflamed tonsils and whatever causes them will pass quickly. But other times, you may need treatment. Contact a doctor for a diagnosis if you develop health concerns like a fever, neck pain, rash, and difficulty breathing.
How Long Does It Take For STD Symptoms To Show?
STDs, or STIs, usually pass from person to person through sexual contact. In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure.
Each STI has its own incubation period, which is how long it takes for symptoms to appear. In some cases, it can take months for an STI to show up on tests. In other cases, it may only take days.
This article explores the incubation periods of different STIs, how soon people can get tested, and the importance of testing.
The incubation period is how long it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure. The window period is how long it takes to get a positive test result for the infection after exposure. These periods are often similar.
Some general symptoms that indicate a person might have an STI include:
However, some STIs do not cause symptoms for many years, even though a person can still get a positive test result. This is why it is important to rely on testing, not just symptoms.
In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure. If a person has a curable STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, they may need a retest after treatment.
People at high risk of certain STIs should ask for a retest, even after a negative result. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend annual HIV testing for people at risk, such as those whose partners have HIV or people who share needles.
The testing window for common STIs is as follows:
HIVA nucleic acid test analyzes a blood sample for HIV. It can indicate a positive result 10–33 days after exposure. The antigen/antibody test, also a blood test, looks for HIV antibodies. It also looks for an antigen that the body produces before antibodies appear. It can get results 18–45 days after exposure.
The antibody test uses a blood or saliva sample to look for HIV antibodies. It takes the longest to get a reliable result, at 23–90 days after exposure. A person can be confident they do not have HIV if they get a negative test during the window period and have no subsequent contact with someone who could have the virus.
ChlamydiaA doctor can test for chlamydia by swabbing the vagina, cervix, rectum, or throat, or by taking a urine sample. If symptoms appear, they usually present within 7–21 days of exposure. A test can normally detect chlamydia within 1–2 weeks of exposure.
GonorrheaA doctor can test for gonorrhea with a urine sample. In some cases, they may also swab the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix to get a more reliable result.
Most tests can detect the infection within 5 days to 2 weeks of exposure. If a test is negative shortly after exposure, a doctor may recommend retesting 2 weeks later, particularly if a person has symptoms.
Gonorrhea symptoms usually appear from 1 day to 2 weeks after exposure.
HerpesHerpes symptoms usually appear quickly. On average, they present 4 days after exposure, and the typical range is 2–12 days. In some cases, however, symptoms can be so mild that a person does not notice them.
A blood test can confirm a herpes diagnosis. The test may be positive within a month, and by 4 months, blood testing finds most cases.
HPVWhile it is possible for males to pass human papillomavirus (HPV) on to a partner, the CDC have not approved a male test. Instead, doctors may test for symptoms of the relatively rare cancers that HPV can cause, including penile cancer.
In females, HPV rarely causes symptoms. If there are indications, they could appear months or years later. The most reliable test is a Pap smear, which involves swabbing the cervix. This can detect HPV 3 weeks to a few months after exposure.
HepatitisIn some cases, hepatitis B and C may not cause any obvious symptoms for years. If they do appear, hepatitis B usually produces signs within 6 weeks to 6 months. Hepatitis C symptoms may appear as early as 2–6 weeks, but can sometimes take as long as 6 months.
A blood test can look for both types of hepatitis. The hepatitis B testing window is 3–6 weeks, while the hepatitis C testing window is 2–6 months. Early testing at 2 months may miss some cases, so a doctor may recommend retesting at 6 months.
TrichomoniasisA doctor can test for trichomoniasis with a swab of the rectum, penis, or vagina. Many people do not have symptoms, but some may notice a discharge or burning sensation within 5–28 days of exposure. It is possible to get a positive test within a week of exposure, though some people need to wait up to a month.
SyphilisSyphilis usually begins with a sore on the genitals called a chancre. Blood tests can detect the bacteria within 1–2 weeks after the chancre appears. Chancres are typically painless and usually develop within 3 weeks of exposure, so the total testing window is about 4 weeks.
Because the development of syphilis varies from person to person, doctors often recommend retesting about 3 months after exposure.
Some STIs live in the body for many years without triggering any symptoms. Doctors may refer to them as dormant, meaning a person can never diagnose themselves based on symptoms alone.
This also means if a person is untested, they can unknowingly pass a dormant STI on to a sexual partner.
Examples of STI that can lay dormant include HIV, herpes, hepatitis C, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV
The CDC recommend that all sexually-active adults with new or multiple partners seek testing for most STIs at least once per year.
STI testing, even for incurable infections, can save lives. It also slows the spread of STIs. Some benefits of testing are below:
The right STI testing depends on many factors, including a person's medical history, sexual history, risk of exposure, and prior history of STI tests.
It is important for people to regularly test for STIs, particularly if they have sex with multiple partners.
Early detection can make treatment easier and possibly prevent serious health issues. To reduce the risk of STIs, people should also practice safer sex techniques, such as using a condom.
Gonorrhea: Sexually Transmitted Disease At Record Levels In U.K.
A young couple hold hands.
gettySexually transmitted disease gonorrhea is on the rise in the U.K., government officials have warned.
More than 82,500 cases were diagnosed last year — a record number and a rise of more than 50% on 2021, according to the country's Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The body urged members of the public — including college students about to begin their next semester — to use condoms when having casual sex to limit the spread of the STD.
The sharp rise in cases may in part be down to an increase in the number of tests being performed. In the U.K., free sexual health tests are widely available.
Some STDs like gonorrhea can be symptomless and may go unnoticed for years. So initiatives to improve access to sexual health checks, alongside campaigns that promote regular testing, may have contributed to the number of cases detected in recent years.
Nonetheless, officials say the scale of the increase year-on-year points to rising spread among the population.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoea or gonococcus.
This bacteria can be passed from one person to another via semen and vaginal fluid. It can live in the cervix, the urethra, the rectum and the throat, and can be passed on during oral, anal and vaginal sex.
The disease can also be transmitted to babies during labor, so pregnant women are advised to seek testing and treatment where necessary.
Gonorrhea can't be passed on by kissing, cuddling, sitting on toilet seats or spending time in swimming pools, according to sexual health charity Brook.
The disease can cause symptoms similar to bladder infections in women, such as a burning sensation when urinating, unusual vaginal discharge and bleeding between periods, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About half of women with gonorrea do not experience any symptoms, and they're often mild in those that do. But the disease can cause complications that can lead to infertility in both men and women, so testing is important.
Men with gonorrhea may also experience unusual discharge and a burning sensation when urinating. Less commonly, their testicles may become swollen or sensitive.
People infected rectally may show symptoms like discharge, itchiness, bleeding and soreness around their anus.
Without treatment, gonorrhea can affect other parts of the body, potentially leading to conditions that cause infertility.
People most at risk of gonorrhea in the U.S. Are young, sexually active adults between the ages of 18 and 25.
Gonorrea can usually be treated with antibiotics, but officials warn the disease is becoming more resistant to existing drugs.
Dr Katy Sinka, UKHSA Head of Sexually Transmitted Infections Dr Katy Sina said in a statement that STDs "can have serious consequences", but added that there are "easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection."
Condoms, she said, are "the best defense" agains STDs like gonorrhea.
Laura Domegan, head of nursing at sexual health charity Brook, told members of the public not to "worry" if they have had unprotected sex, but to just get tested.
"Anyone" can get an STD, she added. "It doesn't matter how many times you've had sex or what type of sex you're having."
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