How Long Before You Can Test for HIV?

When a person suspects he's been exposed to the HIV disease through sexual contact, blood transfusion or use of unsterilized needles, the first reaction is to receive an HIV test. In reality, HIV takes time to show up in the body of an infected person. Once the body begins to battle the disease, testing can take place.

Time Frame

• It takes around three months for the body to develop antibodies to fight HIV. An accurate test can be administered at that time.

Interim

• During the three months prior to a test, those who think they've been infected should refrain from unprotected intercourse.

Test

• An HIV test uses a sample of blood to test for presence of HIV antibodies. Results are available in two to three days.

Results

• Tests that come back positive are administered again for accuracy. Even if an HIV test comes back negative, a follow-up test is recommended after six months to rule out infection.

Symptoms

• After exposure to HIV, some patients exhibit symptoms such as headache, fever, swollen lymph glands or a rash. These occur up to a month after infection.