After being exposed to the HIV virus, many people often wonder how soon they can take a test and get accurate results. It’s an important question because early testing can help with timely treatment and reduce the risk of spreading the virus. But the truth is, you won’t test positive immediately after exposure there’s something called the “window period.”
The window period is the time between when a person is infected with HIV and when a test can actually detect the virus or the body’s response to it. For most people, it takes between 10 to 90 days after exposure for HIV to show up on a test, depending on the type of test used.
Antigen/antibody tests, which are commonly done in health facilities, can usually detect HIV within 18 to 45 days. Nucleic acid tests (NATs), which are more sensitive but expensive, can detect the virus as early as 10 to 14 days. On the other hand, antibody-only tests might take up to 3 months to show a positive result.
That’s why, if you suspect you’ve been exposed to HIV, it’s crucial to get tested more than once — once early, and then again after the window period. Also, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available if you act within 72 hours after exposure it can prevent the virus from taking hold.
Knowing your status early means getting treatment early and that can be life-saving.
