Saturday 14 February 2015

What Is The Window Period Of HIV?

A common question asked is "what is the window period of HIV?" and what it means.

To explain this we need to explain what a modern HIV tests for, what happens when you are infected with HIV and how modern rapid HIV tests can help make a difference in earlier detection of HIV infection.

Modern HIV tests that are commonly used do not directly test for the HIV virus. What they do test for is the bodies reaction to the HIV infection. What is tested for is antibodies the body makes to help keep HIV at bay as well as a number of other proteins produced after infection with HIV.

After initial exposure and infection with HIV it takes about 20-30 days for antibodies to be produced at such a level that it's able to be detected.



The time between the exposure to the HIV virus and it's ability to be detected via a test that checks for the antibodies is called "the window period" or the time after exposure before you are able to be diagnosed as HIV positive.

Modern HIV tests now incorporate an additional test checking for a protein called P24. This is a protein that is produced very early in the seroconversion or early infection with HIV.

The Alere rapid HIV test has the ability to check for both HIV1 and HIV2 antibodies as well as P24 which means that the window period is now much shorter with it's ability to detect HIV infection as early as 14 days.

It's important to note that every person's body is different so be sure to understand that you will need to always have  a second test around 90 days to be 100% sure of a HIV negative status.

Of course if you have any questions about any of these topics be sure to talk with your gay friendly doctor.


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