08-23-2013, 08:41 PM
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Confirmed User
Industry Role:
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Porn Valley
Posts: 8,151
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From cdc:
Quote:
If you have unprotected sex or take other risks with someone who is HIV positive, it is important to understand that your infection will not show up immediately in an HIV test. Most HIV tests are antibody tests that measure the antibodies (special proteins the body makes to fight HIV) produced by the body once infected by HIV. It can take some time for these antibodies to show up in a test, and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the ?window period.?
Most people will develop antibodies that standard HIV tests can detect within 2 - 8 weeks (the average is 25 days). But, there is a chance that some people will take longer to develop antibodies. So, if you had risky sex or engaged in risky behavior with a person who has HIV or whose HIV status is unknown, you may need multiple tests to ensure you were not infected. For example, if you got an HIV test within the first three months after possible exposure, you should get another test after those three months have passed in case the first test occurred during your window period. Ninety-seven percent of people will develop antibodies in the first three months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to six months to develop antibodies to HIV.
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http://hivtest.cdc.gov/stronger/hiv/index.html |
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