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Many people wait for a sign, such as itching, a discharge or a sore, before they think about an STI test. The trouble is that the most common STIs in Australia usually don’t give you one. You can carry an infection for months, pass it on, and only find out when it has already caused a problem.
Australia’s latest national data shows why this matters. Since 2016, gonorrhoea diagnoses have risen by about 78% and infectious syphilis by about 77%. Here’s how often the main STIs stay silent, what “waiting and seeing” can cost, and how to make testing a quick routine instead.
Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP). Last reviewed 2 October 2026. Checked against the Australian STI Management Guidelines (updated June–September 2026) and Kirby Institute data released September 2026.
The short version
- 85–90% of chlamydia infections and about 80% of vaginal gonorrhoea infections cause no symptoms. Throat and anal infections are usually silent too.
- Early syphilis often starts with a painless sore that heals by itself, while the infection carries on.
- Untreated STIs can cause infertility, pregnancy complications and, with syphilis, serious damage to the brain, eyes and heart.
- Test regularly, not just when something feels wrong: at least once a year if you’re under 30 and sexually active, and after a new partner.
- If a possible HIV exposure was in the last 72 hours, don’t wait and see: speak to a doctor about PEP, which must be started within 72 hours.
How silent are the common STIs?
| Infection | How often there are no symptoms | How it’s found |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 85–90% of infections | Urine test or swab |
| Gonorrhoea | About 80% of vaginal infections; most throat and anal infections. Penile infections usually do cause symptoms. | Urine test or swab |
| Syphilis | The first sore is painless and easy to miss; later stages can have no symptoms for years | Blood test (and a swab of any sore) |
| HIV | Early infection can feel like a mild flu, or cause nothing at all | Blood test |
| Hepatitis B and C | Often no symptoms for years | Blood test |
| Genital herpes | Most people who carry it don’t know | Swab of a sore (blood tests aren’t routine) |
Sources: Australian STI Management Guidelines. Mycoplasma genitalium and trichomoniasis can also be silent, but they’re only tested in particular situations. See what a full STI check includes.
What “waiting and seeing” can cost
- Fertility and pregnancy. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
- Syphilis complications. Syphilis can affect the eyes, ears and nervous system, sometimes early in the infection, and causes serious damage if left for years. In pregnancy, it can pass to the baby: Australia recorded 113 cases of congenital syphilis in the past decade, and 40 of those babies died.
- Passing it on. Every month an infection goes unnoticed is a month it can spread to partners, who may not have symptoms either.
- Later HIV diagnosis. HIV found early can be treated so that it’s untransmissible and has little effect on life expectancy. Found late, it’s harder on your health.
The good news is the flip side: chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are all curable, and finding them early is what prevents almost all of these problems.
Symptoms that mean “book now”, not “wait and see”
- Discharge from the penis, vagina or anus, or stinging when you urinate.
- A sore, ulcer or blister on the genitals, anus or mouth, even if it’s painless.
- A rash, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
- Pelvic pain, pain during sex, or bleeding between periods or after sex.
- Pain or swelling in a testicle.
- Changes in your vision or hearing after a possible exposure (see a doctor urgently; this can be a sign of syphilis).
Overcoming the “awkward” factor
For many people, the real barrier isn’t time but embarrassment: the waiting room, the receptionist, or seeing the same GP as the rest of the family. Telehealth removes most of that. At STI Doctor you speak to an AHPRA-registered doctor by phone or video from wherever you are, and the consultation is confidential and protected under Australian privacy law. Doctors and laboratories are required to notify the public health unit about some infections, and that information is kept confidential too.
How testing works with STI Doctor
- Book a consult. Speak to a doctor by phone or video, usually the same day, 7 days from 9am to 7pm Sydney time.
- Get tested locally. The doctor sends an electronic pathology request to your phone. Take it to a collection centre near you; most don’t need an appointment.
- Get your results. Most results are back within about 1–3 business days, and we text you when they’re in. If you need treatment, the doctor can send an eScript to your phone.
Consults are bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders, and standard STI tests are usually covered by Medicare at the collection centre. Without Medicare, a private fee applies; see our fees.
How often should you test?
- Under 30 and sexually active: at least once a year.
- After a new partner: about 2 weeks later for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and 6 weeks for HIV and syphilis. See STI window periods.
- Gay and bisexual men with multiple partners, and people on PrEP: every 3 months.
- Pregnant or planning a pregnancy: ask about syphilis, HIV and hepatitis testing as part of pregnancy care.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have an STI without knowing?
Yes, and it’s the norm rather than the exception. Most chlamydia infections and many gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV infections cause no noticeable symptoms, which is why regular testing matters.
If my partner has no symptoms, do they need a test?
If you’ve been diagnosed with an STI, yes. Partners usually need testing and often treatment, even if they feel fine, otherwise the infection can be passed straight back.
How long do STI results take?
Most results for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis come back within about 1–3 business days of your sample reaching the lab. Some tests take longer.
Is an online STI test confidential?
Yes. Your consultation and results are confidential and protected by Australian privacy law. Some STIs must be reported to the public health unit, which also keeps that information confidential.
Don’t wait for symptoms that might never show up
Whether you’ve started a new relationship, had a condom break, or are simply due for a check, book an online STI test with an Australian doctor, bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders.
Related guides: what a full STI check includes; STI window periods; Australia’s latest STI data; and condition guides for trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium.
Sources: Australian STI Management Guidelines, chlamydia; gonorrhoea; syphilis; genital herpes; Kirby Institute, STI rates remain high in Australia’s latest sexual health data (September 2026); healthdirect, STIs. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
