Search 5,000,000+ questions and answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

How long after exposure to HCV does it take to test positive for the antibodies?

Hepatitis C Testing - FAQ
HCV antibodies can be detected within 3 months after symptoms begin. However, it is important to keep in mind that most people who have Hepatitis C show no signs or symptoms.
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

How does the new Discreet test for HIV1, HIV2, and HIV-O antibodies?

New Page 1
The new third generation, three line Discreet now uses double antigen recombinant proteins, which dramatically improve sensitivity and specificity. This assay is a chromatographic lateral flow immunoassay, containing filter membrane coated with HIV-1 and HIV-2 specific. antigens and colored gold colloidal reagents labeled with HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-O specific antigens There are three regions on the membrane of the control window. The first region is the "C" line.
Related Questions

How soon can I get tested for HIV antibodies?

AIDS/HIV Awareness: FAQ
The tests commonly used to detect HIV actually look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take 6-12 months. It is recommended to wait to test until after a 3-month window period, but tests may still be inconclusive up to 6 months after exposure.
Related Questions

How long does HIV takes to become AIDS?

GENESIS OF AIDS- QUESTIONS THAT ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT A...
Averagely, it takes ten years for an HIV + positive person to develop the disease condition known as AIDS. However the years may be lower or higher depending on the treatment and care such patient receives. REF: Symptoms of AIDS
Related Questions

How long does it take for HIV to be detectable in the body?

AIDS Athens | HIV/AIDS Frequently Asked Questions
HIV can take up to six months to be detectable. Your body needs time to respond to the virus, and therefore the virus may not be detected till months after the actual transmission.
Related Questions

How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?

AIDS Athens | HIV/AIDS Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, the average time between HIV infection and the appearance of signs that could lead to an AIDS diagnosis is 8-11 years. This time varies greatly from person to person and can depend on many factors including a person's health status and behaviors. Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS.
Related Questions

American Social Health Association - Learn about STDs/STIs
According to the CDC, prior to 1996, scientists estimated that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. This time varied greatly from person to person and depended on many factors, including a person's health status and their health-related behaviors. Since 1996, the introduction of powerful anti-retroviral therapies has dramatically changed the progression time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS.
Related Questions

How long does treatment last after an exposure?

NCCC :: National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation Center
We recommend 28 days (4 weeks) of treatment. This is expected to provide protection during the "window of opportunity," before HIV infection is established. This advice is consistent with that provided by the US Public Health Service. copy; Copyright 2003. Regents of the University of California. The University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 (415) 476-9000
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

Are there other ways to test for the HIV antibodies?

Colorado AIDS Project | FAQ
Another way to test for HIV antibodies is the Orasure HIV-1 Oral Specimen. It uses oral fluid instead of blood and is not for home testing. The test actually uses “transmucosal exudate,” not saliva, to determine if an individual is HIV-positive. Trained individuals are the only ones who can take “transmucosal exudate”. Oral fluid does contain HIV; however, it does not have enough virus to transmit HIV.
Related Questions

How long does the HIV test take?

Butte County Public Health
Plan to spend about 20 to 30 minutes with the counselor. The counselor will talk with you about risks, how HIV is passed from one person to another, what the test is looking for, and when the test results are ready. If you have questions, the counselor will answer them.
Related Questions

How long does it take asbestos diseases to develope after exposure?

Class Action Litigation | Asbestos FAQS
There is a latency period between the time of exposure to asbestos and the manifestation of asbestos diseases that generally varies between several years and several decades. Many asbestos cancers will not arise in a victim until twenty years or more after first exposure to asbestos. Typically, asbestosis or pleural plaques will not occur until at least ten to twenty years after first exposure.
Related Questions

What are the safety protocols to protect those whose occupation presents a risk for HIV exposure?

AIDS Athens | HIV/AIDS Frequently Asked Questions
For individuals who may come in contact with blood or other body fluids during their work these precautions include but are not limited to the following: never recap needles, dispose of used needles and other sharps, wear vinyl or latex gloves when coming in contact with body fluids, proper hand washing, and never reusing gloves.
Related Questions

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).
Related Questions

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.
Related Questions

Got A Question? Ask Our Community!


More Questions >>

© Copyright 2007-2008 QueryCAT
About • Webmasters • Contact