Can it Take Longer Than 6 Months to Test Positive for HIV?;- HIV causes AIDS and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Within a few weeks of contracting HIV, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue can occur.
Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. Symptoms of AIDS include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue, and frequent infections. There is no cure for AIDS, but strict adherence to ARV regimens can significantly slow the progression of the disease as well as prevent infection and secondary complications.
HIV Test
HIV tests are usually done on blood or oral fluid. It can also be performed on urine. NAT looks for the actual virus in the blood and includes drawing blood from a vein. The test can either tell if a person has HIV or how much virus is in the blood (known as an HIV viral load test).
Can it Take Longer Than 6 Months to Test Positive for HIV?
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.
If you think you’ve been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS and want to get tested to find out, timing is important. After HIV enters your body, there is a certain period of time that must pass before the test can detect it. This is called the HIV window period. You need to understand your own HIV window in order to get the most accurate HIV test results.
While you’re waiting for the test, make sure you don’t have unprotected sex, and that you don’t share needles. If you have HIV, you may be highly contagious and can pass it on to others.
