How Long To Wait To Get Tested For Hiv

How Soon Can Hiv Be Detected By A Test

Most modern HIV tests are fourth or fifth generation tests, and can detect the virus in your blood from as early as four weeks after possible exposure. In other words: it takes 28 days before it shows up on the blood test.

Other types of test require more time to have passed. Rapid tests and self-test kits may not be able to detect HIV in your sample until three months after exposure.

What Happens After An Hiv Test And Getting The Results

FAST FACTS

• If your result is negative, you can stop worrying but its good to keep testing regularly.
• If your result is positive or , you will need to give a blood sample to have your results confirmed.
• Remember that HIV is now a manageable illness if you do test positive you can start treatment which will keep you healthy.

is often the hardest step to take, but it is usually not as bad as you imagine.

Getting Your Hiv Test Results

Most HIV test results are available within a week.

If the test result is negative, you may receive your results within a few days.

If the initial test result is positive, then additional testing to confirm the result needs to be performed in a reference laboratory and this can take up to a week to get a result.

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Does Hiv Always Show Up On Testing

No, if someone was recently infected, it might not show up with testing. How quickly HIV shows up on testing depends on the type of test done:

• Testing that looks for the virus itself can find HIV 728 days after infection.
• Testing that looks for HIV antibodies can find HIV antibodies 312 weeks after infection.

What Happens If My Test Is Positive

If you test positive for HIV, it is important to remember that with treatment you can live a long, healthy life. In fact, with early treatment, people with HIV can live about as long as people that are not infected.

A team approach will help you get the medical care and support that you need. Start by talking to your doctor or the counselor or social worker at the testing site. He or she can help you with suggestions on how to talk to your parents or guardians and how to find a health care provider who’s an HIV specialist. By starting treatment as soon as possible, you can stay healthy and learn to live well with HIV.

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How Soon Will Get The Result

Some types of HIV test give a result very quickly. Services that offer rapid testing will take a blood sample using a finger-prick test this will give a result within minutes. The same goes for self-testing kits. With other types of test that require the sample to be sent to a lab, the results may take a few days.

Getting A Result Quickly

Many services offer rapid testing, which means a finger-prick test that will give you a result within minutes.

A self testing kit ordered online and done at home will normally give you a result up to 15 minutes, depending on the kit.

A blood sample taken at a testing centre will be sent to a lab, with results ready within a day or up to a week later.

If you use postal testing, the lab will normally contact you a week or so later with your result.

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What Else Do I Need To Know About Hiv Testing

The world has come a long way from when the AIDS epidemic hit in the late 1980s. Researchers are working tirelessly to find treatments.

Unfortunately, many people still dont understand much about HIV. Because of this, legislation exists to protect people living with HIV and AIDS. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with HIV from discrimination. If you believe someone has discriminated against you because of your HIV status, you may wish to consult legal counsel.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Research has made significant progress in terms of what we know about HIV. But there is still more to learn. Until researchers find a vaccine, HIV will continue to infect people. If you or someone you love may be HIV positive, please seek help. Current treatments can help HIV-positive people live happy, productive lives.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/10/2016.

References

What Is An Std Incubation Period

An incubation period is the span of time from when you first come in contact with an STD to when antibodies form to fight the STD1). Tests look for the presence of these antibodies during testing2), and if you do not wait until the incubation period has ended, you may not allow your body sufficient time to develop enough antibodies for it to show up in testing, causing a false-negative result.

Even after you have waited for the incubation period to end, you may not see signs or symptoms of the STD. Many STDs do not display symptoms at all or are so subtle that you could think you have a cold or a rash. Your symptoms come and go, but this doesnt mean the STD has gone away. This is why its so important to get tested there is simply no other way to be 100% sure of an STD diagnosis.

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How Much Do Hiv Tests Cost

Unlike rapid tests, blood tests for HIV are covered by Medicare, which means your doctor can order the test free of charge for you.

If you are not eligible for Medicare, you may also be able to claim some of the testing costs through private health insurance. Check with your provider to see if youre eligible.

How Do Hiv Tests Work And Whats Involved

FAST FACTS

• There are plenty of places which offer free HIV testing you can find your nearest provider either by searching online or asking a healthcare professional.
• Testing for HIV is a simple and pain-free process. It involves giving a small sample of blood or oral fluid.
• Your results will be confidential and the healthcare provider will be able to explain the process and answer any questions you have. They are there to help you.
• HIV tests are very reliable. Some HIV tests will give a result within 20 minutes and others are sent to a lab so it may take a few weeks to get your results.

It is really common to feel a little worried about going for an HIV test, but making the decision to test is the best thing you can do for your health. The process is quick, painless, confidential and almost always free.

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Why Its Important To Test

If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. The sooner you start treatment, the less likely you are to become seriously ill. People who are diagnosed early and get on effective treatment can expect to live a normal lifespan.

Once youre on effective treatment and your viral load is undetectable then you can’t pass the virus on to anyone else.

If you wait to test, the virus could do a lot of damage. There is a lot of support available for people who test positive.

How Soon After Exposure To Hiv Can An Hiv Test Detect If You Are Infected

No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. If you think youve been exposed to HIV, in the last 72 hours, talk to your health care provider about post-exposure prophylaxis , right away.

The time between when a person gets HIV and when a test can accurately detect it is called the window period. The window period varies from person to person and also depends upon the type of HIV test.

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How Often Do You Need To Get Tested For Hiv

How often you should get tested depends on your personal practices, risk behaviours, and how often you engage in them.

For most people, it is important to have a full sexual health test at least once each year. This testing includes:

• HIV

Even if you always use condoms, it is recommended you get tested annually as condoms dont provide 100% protection against HIV and STIs.

How Do The Tests Work

Most HIV tests use a blood sample, either from a blood draw or finger prick. Others use saliva , but this is a little less accurate than blood tests.

Some HIV tests look for the virus itself. But most look for the antibodies for HIV. Antibodies are part of the immune system and fight infections. When someone is infected with HIV, the body creates antibodies to fight HIV.

Testing results may be available that day or can take longer come back.

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A Word About Window Periods

The window period refers to the time it takes for HIV to show up in an HIV test. The length of the window period will depend on the type of test you take.

If you feel like you may be at risk of HIV, do not wait, speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. The most important thing is to test.

If you test negative but think you may have been exposed to HIV more recently, you can take another test once the window period has passed.

The picture below shows the window periods for different HIV tests. Some tests can give you an accurate result within four weeks, while others can take three months to be accurate .

A healthcare worker will be able to explain how long the window period is for the test you are taking, and will tell you if they think youll need to test for HIV again.

When Should I Get Tested For Stds

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Terms And Technologies Used In Hiv Testing

This section provides detailed definitions and descriptions of the terms and technologies used in HIV testing.

4.2.1 Algorithms

Algorithms for HIV testing have been developed to ensure optimal sensitivity while preserving specificity by confirming reactive results as antibody-positive. The test sequence starts with the most sensitive screening test to identify all those with antibodies. A confirmatory assay is then performed only on the samples that tested reactive/positive on the initial screening test. This ensures that the screen test reaction is due to detection of HIV antibodies rather than a non-specific reaction. In the case of indeterminate or inconclusive results, additional supplementary testing may be necessary to determine if someone is infected with HIV. Each laboratory develops and validates its own algorithm to ensure that it provides the most accurate results possible. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of a validated algorithm are close to 100%.

A typical laboratory testing algorithm follows:

Figure 3: Laboratory Testing Algorithm

A typical laboratory testing algorithm starts by screening with an enzyme immune assay test. If the EIA is non-reactive, then no HIV infection is present and no further testing is done.

If the initial EIA is reactive, then the EIA test should be repeated two additional times. If neither of the additional EIA tests is reactive, then the test is considered non-reactive, with no evidence of HIV infection.

Which Test Can Give Me Results The Soonest

The period of time also differs, depending on which kind of test you take. The different types of tests include:

• Antibody tests, which look for the antibodies — special proteins that help fight infection — that your body makes in reaction to an HIV infection. Most rapid tests and at-home tests are these kind. Antibody tests require the longest wait time after infection to get an accurate result. For most people — around 97% — this takes anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks. For some, it can take as long as 6 months.
• Combination or fourth-generation tests, which look for both antibodies and antigens. Antigens are part of the virus itself. One antigen, p24, is detectable before your body starts making antibodies. These tests are becoming more common in the U.S. They can tell you if you have HIV a little sooner than an antibody test can.
• Nucleic acid tests , which can detect HIV in your body the soonest after infection. The test looks for the virus in your blood. You need a certain amount of the virus in your blood before the test will detect it. This is called your viral load. You can get a negative test if your viral load is still low. A NAT can tell you if you have HIV as early as 7 to 28 days after infection. It gives the quickest result, but itâs also the most expensive. Doctors donât typically use it unless youâre at a high risk of exposure to HIV.

Youâre more likely to have a NAT if you:

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What Support Is Available

If you receive an HIV diagnosis, you can find help. Your healthcare provider can recommend support groups and counselors.

If someone tells you they are HIV-positive, they are telling you because they trust you. The time right after diagnosis can be very tough. You can support them in many ways:

• Be a friend. While they may not be ready to talk about their diagnosis right away, show them you care by treating them as you did before.
• Listen. Your friend may just need someone to listen to their concerns and fears. Be there for them.
• Learn about the disease. The reference section of this article has additional information to learn about the condition.
• Encourage them to seek treatment. Your friend may not realize they have options available. They do, and they can get treatment. Help them find it and stick to it.
• Get help for yourself. While it will be a challenging time for your friend, you may need some support too. Talk to others a counselor, for example about any concerns or anxieties you may have.

How Are Results Reported

Your test centre should clearly explain the results of your test.

If you have questions that were not explained, or that still worry you, ask the test centre first.

Rapid blood tests show two lines if positive or one line if negative, in a similar way as a pregnancy test .

Results from laboratory tests are given as negative, positive or indeterminate.

Negative or non-reactive means you are HIV negative. You do not have HIV .

Positive or reactive means the test shows you are HIV positive and you have HIV infection.

Indeterminate means the test result was unclear and needs to be repeated.

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Why Do I Need To Get Tested For Hiv

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV dont have any symptoms. In the United States, about 1 in 7 people who have HIV don’t know they have it.

Even if you dont feel sick, getting early treatment for HIV is important.

• If you dont have HIV , you can take steps to make sure you stay HIV-free.
• If you have HIV , you can take steps to have a healthier future. You can also take steps to protect other people.

Live longer with HIV.

If you have HIV, early treatment can help you live a longer, healthier life. The sooner you get care for HIV, the better.

• Use this tool to find services for people with HIV or AIDS, like housing assistance, health centers, and counseling.

Protect yourself and others.

If you have HIV, you can take steps to protect your partner. Your partner can also take a medicine called PrEP to lower the risk of getting HIV. Learn more about PrEP.

If you have HIV and you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, you can get treatment to prevent passing HIV to your baby.

How Long Does An Hiv Test Take

Dear Alice,

How long does it take to get results from an HIV test?

â Wondering

Dear Wondering,

Waiting for test results can certainly be stressful â and while the past few decades of research on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome have made great advances in testing technology, its tough to give an exact estimate of how long it takes to get test results. There are many factors to consider, including: the type of HIV test completed, how long it takes for a particular community health center or lab to analyze and report the test result to the patient, and how long someone has waited to get tested after an exposure . Also, sometimes the results must go through a health care provider first, who will then relay them to the patient, which can take more time. The good news is that many testing options are fairly quick. While the most rigorous lab-based tests can take several days to produce a result, some rapid tests can take as little as 20 minutes.

In general, the turn around time for HIV testing depends on the type of testing performed. These tests include:

• NAT: 10 to 33 days after exposure
• Laboratory antigen/antibody test: 18 to 45 days after exposure
• Rapid antigen/antibody test and antibody self-test: 18 to 90 days after exposure

Hereâs hoping you didnât have to wait long to get results from this response!

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