Question
Is a test after 3 months conclusive?
6 February 2008. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Is rapid negative HIV1/2 test at 3 months conclusive for someone who was sticked by needle that may have contained blood with HIV?
Thanks!
Answer
Three months after a possible exposure is a usually sufficient, especially if there were no symptoms.
As long as the person has not been exposed to HIV afterwards, then the test shows that he/she is HIV-negative. The means of exposure (sexual, occupational, etc.) does not affect the test result.
Some clinics recommend retesting three months later to confirm this. This is because occasionally it can take longer than three months to generate an immune response.