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How long after a possible exposure should I wait to get tested for HIV?

American Social Health Association - Learn about STDs/STIs
The most common HIV tests look for antibodies to the virus. CDC states that most people infected with HIV will have detectable antibodies within 3 months of exposure to HIV, the average being 25 days. Rarely, it can take up to six months. Testing early has many benefits. People who know whether they are infected or not can take precautions to protect themselves and others in future. HIV-infected individuals can benefit from early treatment.
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HIV Frequently Asked Questions - Southern Nevada Health Dist...
The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection are actually looking for antibodies produced by your immune system when you are exposed to HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks (the average is 25 days). Ninety-seven percent will develop antibodies in the first three months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to six months to develop antibodies to HIV.
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Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS
It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the HIV test to detect. This time period can vary from person to person. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks (the average is 20-25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some people will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. If the initial negative HIV test was conducted within the first three months after possible exposure, repeat testing should be considered.
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ASG
The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection, the average being 25 days. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months. For this reason, the CDC currently recommends testing 3-6 months after the last possible exposure (unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex or sharing needles).
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How long should I wait to be tested after potential exposure to HIV?

AIDS Athens | HIV/AIDS Frequently Asked Questions
For the most accurate test result, you must wait six months after your last possible exposure to the virus (or anytime after that). At six months, the tests are more than 99% accurate. If you get tested before the six-month waiting period, you could have the infection but the test won't pick it up.
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How long after a possible exposure should I be tested for HIV?

San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Frequently Asked Questions Ab...
The time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to seroconvert (test positive) for HIV antibodies is commonly called the "Window Period". Recent studies show that a test taken at least 12 weeks (3 months) after the last possible exposure to the virus provides highly accurate results. Based on those studies, many testing clinics in California and other places use a 3 month window period.
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National HIV Testing Resources
Most HIV tests are antibody tests that measure the antibodies your body makes against HIV. It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the “window period”. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days).
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AngloAmerican - FAQs: HIV/AIDS
The tests commonly used to determine HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. Research has shown that most people will develop distinguishable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to six months. It is therefore recommended that testing also be done 6 months after the possible exposure.
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Back to top 9. How long after a possible exposure should I wait to get tested for HIV?

AIDSHIVAWARENESS.ORG | Frequently Asked Questions
The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection, the average being 25 days. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months. The CDC National AIDS Hotline can provide more information and referrals to testing sites in your area. The Hotline numbers are 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (TTY).
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Metrolina AIDS Project, Charlotte NC in Mecklenburg County f...
The time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to test positive (seroconvert) for HIV antibodies is commonly called the 'window period'. When a person is infected with the HIV virus, statistics show that 95-97% (perhaps higher) of all infected individuals develop antibodies within 12 weeks (3-months). The National CDC has said that in some rare cases, it may take up to six months for one to seroconvert (test positive). At this point the results would be 99.9% accurate.
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How long after a possible exposure should I wait before being tested?

Frequently Asked Questions
It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the "window period". Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some individuals will take longer to develop detectable antibodies.
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How quickly after possible HIV exposure should I get tested?

Colorado AIDS Project | FAQ
Infection with HIV has no specific symptoms. The only way you can find out for sure if you are infected with HIV is by taking the HIV antibody test. The HIV antibody test looks for antibodies to the virus in a person’s blood. It takes two weeks to 6 months to produce HIV antibodies after infection. This period of time is known as the “window period”.
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How long should I wait before being tested for HIV ?

Church Of North India - Synodical Board of Health Services
Wait 3 months from the time you think you may have been infected with HIV, otherwise, you may test negative even though you are infected. This is called the 'WINDOW PERIOD' or 'WINDOW PHASE'. These tests have to be repeated. Engage yourself in no risky behaviour and get re-tested after another 3 months. If still tested negative, you probably do not have HIV. ABSTAIN FROM TAKING RISK.
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Where can I get tested for HIV?

American Social Health Association - Learn about STDs/STIs
There a many places to get HIV testing, including local health departments, private doctors, hospitals and sites set up specifically to test for HIV. It is important find a testing site that offers HIV counseling as well as the test. HIV counselors can provide you with important information about the test, discuss your risks for HIV, answer your questions about your risk for HIV and how to protect yourself and others in the future.
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HIV Frequently Asked Questions - Southern Nevada Health Dist...
HIV antibody testing is a simple oral or blood test performed by a trained professional. This procedure is strictly confidential. Counseling regarding the meaning of the test and its result takes place before the actual testing to ensure you understand HIV infection and the testing procedure. OraSure HIV-1 - Oral fluid (not saliva) from the mouth is collected in only a few minutes without using needles and is tested for HIV antibodies.
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I think I may have been exposed to HIV. How long should I wait before being tested?

Hassle Free Clinic: Women’s clinic FAQ
The HIV test the clinic uses doesn’t actually test for the presence of HIV. Instead, it tests for the presence of HIV antibodies. Antibodies are produced by your body as part of its natural defense against infection. In most people, the production of antibodies does not start immediately after infection. So, if you feel that you might have been exposed to HIV yesterday there isn’t much point of getting tested today. For the test to be meaningful, you must wait for a few weeks.
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If exposed, do you need to wait to be tested (like you do for HIV)? If so, how long?

Hepatitis C FAQs - Terrence Higgins Trust - hepinfo.org
Yes, there is a delay between being exposed to the virus and any sign of it showing up in your blood. This is called the ‘window period’. The window period for hepatitis C can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 26 weeks. Sometimes, there are no antibodies until one years after exposure though this is extremely rare. Generally, most specialists say that there is no point testing until about three months after you believe you were exposed to hepatitis C.
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I think I was exposed to an STD and/or HIV, how long should I wait before being tested?

Amsterdam and FAQ about Sex
For HIV it is known as the six month window. Although many people develop the virus in their blood in 25 days, it can take up to six months. The Center for Disease Control recommends you wait six months to know "for sure" the results of that encounter. But you should get tested as often, and when you feel like. Three to six months from your last unsafe sexual experience is the amount of time you need to wait to get an HIV test.
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How long does it take for antibodies to show up in my system after the intiial exposure to HIV?

Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team
If from the time of testing an individual uses precautions during sexual activity (latex condoms with spermicide) or abstains from sexual activities, and avois sharing needles, when you rests in six months and the test result is negative, you can be assured of a true negative antibody status. You should always remember that a negative test result does not make you immune to HIV infection.
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I just tested HIV-positive, what do I do?

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
First thing: Don't panic! In the United States, living with HIV is no longer an automatic death sentence. Many people are alive and well who were diagnosed many years ago. Although HIV can be life threatening, and you will have to monitor your physical health and have regular medical tests, there are many things you can do to maintain a normal life. It's important to learn all you can about HIV in order to keep yourself healthy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS
Many places provide testing for HIV infection. Common testing locations include local health departments, clinics, offices of private doctors, hospitals, and other sites set up specifically to provide HIV testing. For information on where to find an HIV testing site, visit the National HIV Testing Resources website at http://www.hivtest.org or call CDC-INFO , (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636), (888) 232-6348 (TTY).
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Is it true that if I get tested for HIV, I get tested for all STDs?

inSPOT LA ·> Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: No. Each STD, including HIV, has its own test. Talk to your provider to make sure you're getting the test you need.
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Do competitive sports present a risk of exposure to HIV?

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Human Immunodeficiency...
The risk of HIV exposure during competitive sports is proportional to the risk of direct blood to blood contact. The risk of blood to blood contact during school supervised play is very minimal since this would require that two players with uncovered wounds come in direct contact with each other.
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