Question

I had a HIV test two weeks after unsafe safe, it came back negative, is that accurate?

8 November 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing.

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

A test at 2 weeks after exposure is not an accurate indicator of whether or not you have HIV. The time between infection with HIV and when a test will show positive is called the window period. The length of the window period varies depending on the type of test you are taking.

If you are taking a fourth generation test which looks for antibodies (your bodies immune response) and antigens (the virus itself) then it is accurate 3-4 weeks after an exposure. If you are taking an antibody only test then it is accurate 6-12 weeks after an infection.

For more information about the different tests please follow this link