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Can you test negative for HIV after 6 months?
As with other types of tests, there is always be a small margin of error. With antibody-only tests (3rd generation) only 0.3\% of tests (3 tests in every 1000) will be a false negative after 3 months. With 4th generation tests this is even lower. In practice, a negative result after six weeks means you do not have HIV.
How Long Can HIV be present in an infected person without detection by testing?
No test can detect an HIV infection immediately after contracting the virus. It may take up to 12 weeks for HIV antibodies to become detectable in the blood. If a person receives a negative result on their first test, they should ask their healthcare provider if and when they should schedule a follow-up test.
How long does it take for HIV to show after sleeping with an infected person?
This type of test measures antibodies to HIV. The body can take up to 3 months to produce these antibodies. Most people will have enough antibodies to test positive within 3 to 12 weeks after contracting HIV. At 12 weeks, or 3 months, 97 percent of people have enough antibodies for an accurate test result.
What happens if my HIV test is negative 3 months later?
If you get an HIV test within 3 months after a potential HIV exposure and the result is negative, get tested again in 3 more months to be sure. If you learned you were HIV-negative the last time you were tested, you can only be sure you’re still negative if you haven’t had a potential HIV exposure since your last test.
How long should you wait to get tested for HIV?
One recommended strategy is to get tested 2-4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after a risky exposure. Using a sensitive antigen/antibody HIV test, of those who are infected, most will test positive at 1 month; almost all will test positive at 3 months; and the rest will test positive at 6 months.
What happens if I get tested for HIV outside of hospital?
If you are tested outside of a health care setting or lab (such as at a community-based organization, mobile testing van, or elsewhere) you will likely receive a rapid HIV test (oral fluid or finger stick.) If the test comes back negative, and you haven’t had a possible exposure during the previous 3 months, you can be confident you don’t have HIV.
Do all HIV test results reveal the same thing?
No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status. HIV is not necessarily transmitted every time you have sex or share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. And the risk of getting HIV varies depending on the type of exposure or behavior.