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Can an STI show up years and years later?

So the only risky incident I have ever had was about 6 years ago. I didnt worry about it because I knew the person and never suspected anything and she never said anything.
But over the last few months I have been having mucus in my stool and I'm wondering if there is a chance I've had asymptomatic STI in my genitals and then only recently its somehow spread to my bowels or something?
I never thought twice that I had anything until now. Dont seem to have any other symptoms, just mucus in my stool.
Aside from that, surely I'd know about an sti by now through tests for other things I've had over the years like generic blood tests etc?
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207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'd be very surprised if this is an STI, and not something totally unrelated.

There are lots of reasons for mucus in your stool, but an STI isn't one of them.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mucus-in-stool

After 6 years, it would be really surprising if you had gonorrhea or chlamydia without any symptoms, and you've tested negative for HIV and syphilis. Herpes causes blisters, and HPV causes warts.

If the mucus continues, or is accompanied by pain, cramping or blood, you should see your doctor, but it's not related to an STI.
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Thankyou! I have some blood tests booked and they have asked for a stool sample. I was hoping someone would say something like this. I cant really understand what else it could be though to be honest. Thankyou for your response. I've scoured the internet and everything it could be seems to have loads of other symptoms. Perhaps some abdominal pain, hard to say whether it's related at this point or whether I'm just hyper focused on anything that could be even slightly wrong at the moment
In the article I linked, it lists things like anal fissures, IBS, malabsorption issues, among others, and it can also be normal.

If you want to put your mind at ease, why not just get some STD testing, and put this behind you? That's easy to do, and it's just urinating in a cup. Give yourself some peace of mind.
Well I've got bloods and stool samples being done so I'll leave it at that at the minute. Thankyou for the information.
You're welcome. Take care and let us know how you're doing. :)
Just out of interest, what are the symptoms of an anal sti?
I have read that mucus is a symptom, but I do think it is highly unlikely like you say though
Symptoms aren't that different than a genital STI, really - discharge, sores, burning, itching, painful bowel movements -

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/anal-sti-test

Have you had receptive anal sex? You can get anal symptoms from a genital STI, but it's not typical. It would also be HIGHLY unusual for a man, especially, to go 6 years without symptoms. There are tons of other causes of mucus in your stool that would be far more likely than an STI. You are being tested for those.

Good luck. :)
Avatar universal
Not sure what you mean by mucous in your stool.  But yes, some STDs can take a long time to do their damage.  But not the symptom you describe.  
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So basically either on my stool or semi mixed with it is like white stringy mucus. Started a few months ago. No other symptoms really. Just being paranoid I think. It cant be HIV or Syphillis as I've been tested for thise on a routine blood thing I know for sure.
What would be expected if I had an sti in that area?
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