Question
Will a test show a positive result if I am in the window period?
20 May 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.
If I am in the window period and have a p24 antigen plus antibody test would the test show reactive if I have HIV? Am I right in thinking antigens are not depleted until antibodies are produced?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Antigens are found on the surface of the virus itself. They are never depleted. If there is only a small amount of HIV in the blood then there are few antigens for the test to pick up. This is why during the window period you may not always get an accurate result.
The p24 antigen and antibody test is accurate 3-4 weeks after a possible exposure, and clinics usually say 4 weeks. The window period is from 0-3 weeks. If you have tested before 3 weeks after exposure you should again test at 3-4 weeks to ensure you get an accurate result.
For more information on HIV testing please follow this link
I’m sorry but i-Base no longer answers individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This service is based on information relating to treatment of people who are HIV positive. While you may not want to be positive, if this is the outcome of the test, then, like millions of other people you will find a way to come to terms with this. Your life would still go on whatever the result is.
Individual tests are not perfect. So a test centre should explain this. If you have had one positive result and an indeterminate confirmatory test, then you could retest again now. you still might need to confirm in a few months but a second rapid test would give you a good indication of whether the recent positive result is real or not.
Information online
Most testing questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Our guide to HIV Testing and risks of sexual transmission guide has more detailed and easy to read information about these topics. It can be read online at this link:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
i wish mine will be answered too because am dead worried.
I had an exposure on feb 7 with my patner that recently tested Negative then,and after 46 days i went for my own test and it was Negative too.i had another exposure from another patner 4weeks and few days after the test.Now i went for a HIV test again after 2months and a week,and i was tested Positive.a confirmatory test was done the next day,and the doctor said that the result is not determined yet.that i should test again after 3 months..Pls does that mean that i am HIV positive?pls reply urgently because am like a moving corsp already.cant concentrate any longer.