The window period is the time period between when a person comes in contact with a sexually transmitted infection and when a false negative result may occur in an STI screen. The window period can vary for the different STIs. Sexual partners may have a false negative test result in this period. Any sexual partner of someone with a confirmed STI, in the window period should be tested and empirically treated. Follow up testing should be discussed.
Partner notification (sometimes called contact tracing) is an integral part of the management and control of STIs. A look-back period of 3-6 months should be considered. Testing and treatment of sexual partners is important to prevent reinfection and onward transmission. Patients who have been diagnosed with an STI in primary care, should be encouraged to inform their sexual partners and of the need for testing. For complex cases that might require more expert help with partner notification, referral to a GUM clinic should be considered.
STI: Chlamydia trachomatis
Look back period: Males with urethral symptoms: all contacts since symptom onset and in the 4 weeks prior to the symptoms. Asymptomatic Partner; Symptoms at all other sites (rectal, throat and eye): all contacts in prior 6 months.
Empiric treatment: Yes
Window Period: 2 weeks
STI: Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Look back period: Symptomatic: All contacts in the 4/52 prior to symptom onset. Asymptomatic: all partners in past 3/12
Empiric treatment: N/A
Window Period: 2 weeks
STI: Gonorrhoea (Neisseria Gonorrhoea)
Look back period: Males with urethral symptoms: all partners in past 2/52 or last partner if longer than 2/52. All others including asymptomatic infection: 3/12
Empiric treatment: Yes
Window Period: 2 weeks
STI: Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas Vaginalis)
Look back period: Sexual partners in the preceding 4 weeks prior to presentation
Empiric treatment: Yes
Window Period: 2 weeks
STI: HIV
Look back period: Refer to GUM/HIV clinic
Empiric treatment: Refer to GUM/HIV clinic (Be mindful of new sexual partners who may require PEP)
Window Period: 45 days
STI: Anogenital Warts (Human Papilloma Virus)
Look back period: N/A
Empiric treatment: N/A
Window Period: N/A
STI: Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
Look back period: Refer syphilis cases to GUM clinic.
Empiric treatment: Refer to GUM clinic
Window Period: 12 weeks
STI: Hepatitis
Look back period: Refer to GUM clinic
Empiric treatment: Refer to GUM clinic
Window Period: 12 weeks
STI: Genital Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus)
Look back period: N/A
Empiric treatment: N/A
Window Period: N/A
STI: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Look back period: Current male partners.
Empiric treatment: N/A
Window Period: Dependent on organism.
STI: Mycoplasma Genitalium
Look back period: Refer to GUM clinic
Empiric treatment: Refer to GUM clinic
Window Period: Refer to GUM clinic