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How often after unprotected sex can I get an accurate HIV test if affected? what about at home testing?
I was raped and wondering how long I have to wait to see if I have been infected. I have no insurance and the nurses in the ER didn’t offer me one. I am not sure how to get one done or how long I have to wait to get an accurate result. Is it something that I have to get done a few times over a period of time. What about other tests? What else should I get tested for and where should I go?
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#2 written by purple 2 years ago
The “window period” is the time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to react to the virus by creating HIV antibodies. This is called seroconversion.
During the window period, people infected with HIV have no antibodies in their blood that can be detected by an HIV test, even though the person may already have high levels of HIV in their blood, sexual fluids, or breast milk.
Here is what the CDC says about the window period:
“Antibodies generally appear within three months after infection with HIV, but may take up to six months in some persons.”
This CDC definition of a three to six month window period has been commonly used for a number of years.
What does this mean for you?
The three month window period is normal for most of the population. Many people will have detectable antibodies in three or four weeks. Very, very rarely (i.e., only a few cases ever), a person could take six months to produce antibodies.
You may be anxious to be tested soon after an encounter which you perceive to be risky (for a discussion of what behaviors put you at risk for HIV and which ones do not, see the section on How HIV Is Spread). You want to know: can I be antibody tested without waiting three months? How accurate is the test after, say, six weeks?Unfortunately, we simply don’t know.
Think about this: if you got a negative test at six weeks, would you believe it? Would it make you less anxious? If so, then go for it. But to be certain, you will need to be tested again at three months. Some test centers may recommend testing again at six months, just to be extra sure.
Although HIV may not be detected by a test during the window period, HIV can be transmitted during that time. In fact, individuals are often most infectious during this time (shortly after they have been exposed to HIV).
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#3 written by gotta move 2 years ago
The standard of care for situations such as this is a test at the time of the incident to know your current HIV status and if negative, again about 90 days later. It takes about that long for the antibodies for HIV to be detectable by lab testing. Usually tests are done for other STD/STI as well. If you have a primary care physician, he/she can do routine testing or you can go to a local public health clinic.
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#4 written by MELISSA M 2 years ago
you can take a blood HIV test then you take the second if it comes out positive the accurate test to take is the western blot test and it takes up to 9 to 10 years to show full blown aids but take the western blot test that will show you right away if you have it or not…. HOME TESTING IS NOT ACCURATE BECAUSE YOU COULD MESS UP AND CONTAMINATE THE BLOOD THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU A FUCK UP ANSWER
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#5 written by quijibored 2 years ago
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The Home Access® Express HIV-1 Test System is a good test to take if you want fast & anonymous testing. Its over 99.9% accurate and doctor recommended. The kit comes with everything that you need, including an overnight mailing envelope(postage paid) .. you also get your results as early as 1 day.