Dr. H, in one of your responses you referenced that some of the newer tests can detect seroconverison within 2-3 weeks. Which tests are these?

Also, I have read conflicting information on this site concerning the time it takes from initial expsoure to detect hiv. I've read that the vast majority of folks show positive within 6 weeks, but I have also read 3 months. Which is the correct answer?

Thanks so much!

Nervous Nilly

ELISA is very sensitive in chronic HIV infection, but an HIV infected person may test ELISA negative during a "window period" that varies in length from a few weeks to a few months after infection. Whether it is a few weeks or more depends on the individual person and the type of test assay used. The 6 week figure is often cited for the "window period" because >90% of ELISA test will be positive 6 weeks following exposure.

I am not an expert on the testing methodologies, and can't tell you which tests are more sensitive than others, but the commercially available tests all have >99% sensitivity.