How Long Can U Have Hiv Before Its Shows On A Hiv Test

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Acute HIV Infection

What Is Acute HIV Infection? The amount of HIV in the blood gets very high within a few days or weeks after HIV infection. Some people get a flu-like illness. This first stage of HIV disease is called "acute HIV infection" or "primary HIV infection." About half of the people who get infected don't notice anything. Symptoms generally occur within 2 to 4 weeks. The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and rash. Others include headache,...

Ask the Experts

HIV testing, how long should you wait

how long should you wait after having unprotected sex to be tested for HIV?...

Response from Brian Conway, M.D.

University of British Columbia

A test should be done immediately to rule out the fact that you may have been infected with HIV from a previous exposure. Otherwise, regualrt antibody testing should be done at 6 and 12 weeks. If at any time during this period you develop any... Read more »

How long before an HIV test will definitely give accurate results?

I am worried that I could have HIV and would like to know how long is the window period for an hiv test in which it will show accurate results. My mother told em to wait at least six months but it has already been four months and I dont want to...

Response from Michael Shernoff, M.S.W.

Psychotherapist and Author

I am not the correct person to answer your question since this is a medical question the answer to which I do not honestly know. I urge you to reask your questin to our medical and prevention experts so that you can receive an accurate... Read more »

How long before an HIV test will definitely give accurate results?

Response from Michael Shernoff, M.S.W.

Psychotherapist and Author

pregnant and terrified hiv test taking too long

Dear DR Kull,I'm a 33 year old caucasian woman and am 11 weeks pregnant with my first child. My husband and I were estatic, but now I am absolutely terrified I am HIV positive. I took many blood tests including HIV 2 weeks ago and my doctors...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

First of all, I would encourage you to do your best to hold off on diagnosing yourself as being HIV infected. Unless you are at siginificant risk for infection (had unprotected sex with an HIV positive man or someone at high risk for infection)... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

How long does the HIV test take?

Posted by missing, 1 Reply

It has been a week and I am still waiting for the result. I thought ELISA is a quick test? Does that means my blood has to go through Western Blot........... I know ELISA can produce false positive but that small 1% chance doesn't seems very... Read more »

How long testing takes?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I had an HIV test last tuesday ..results came back negative on friday. this just seems like such a short time to get a result. Is it normal to take this amount of time ? Read more »

Long enough time to test?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Many people who are worried about HIV exposure may not know the exact date they put themselves at risk. Luckily, I do know my potential exposure date (July 15). Knowing the window period is 6 months according to the CDC, if I test this week, how... Read more »

Testing for Hiv-accuracy of test after Exposure!!!

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Anyone please help with this one!! IF you had a possible exposure to Hiv, how long Before Tests will pick up the infection, and how accurate are the rapid Hiv tests against the Elisa tests? If you are Elisa negative at 8 weeks after infection and 12... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>