I know it can take years for the symptoms to appear, but how soon can you be certain if you have HIV or not?
2006-07-22 13:40:05 · 6 answers · asked by **** 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
Usually they will test your bolood as soon after you are potentially exposed as possible. If this is negative, you aren't necessarily clear. It does prove however that you did not initially have HIV before the exposure. If you were exposed by either unprotected sex or by a needlestick usually they will also start your on the antiretroviral therapy right away (AZT among other things). In six months, they will retest you to see if you have developed the virus (seroconverted). If you are positive, obviously you would remain on the treatment. If it was negative, you would then be considered to not have contracted the virus. So if someone were to tell you after the initial blood test that it was negative and you didn't have to worry, they would be mistaken if you were tested right away. If you waited like six months or so after the exposure to be tested, then obviously they could safely say, no you probably weren't infected, however most quality places would still run a follow up blood test in a few months just to be sure. Hopefully this hasn't happened to you or someone you know, but if it has, best of luck.
2006-07-22 14:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by softballer006 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can! a 3 month negative ELISA test is considered conclusive for most exposures, and a 6 month negative ELISA is about as accurate and conclusive as scientifically possible. If you last possible exposure was 6 months before your negative test, than you are HIV negative. You should really talk to your Doctor though to clarify things OR at the very least contact the centre that tested you. I wish you the best, and wrap it up in the future, OK?
2006-07-22 14:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by johnhategoblins 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can, it is as simple as that. Take an hiv test.
2006-07-22 14:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by kida_w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have new testing that will let people know much sooner than 6 months. Call
1-800-342-AIDS,
thats the National AIDS Hotline, and they have Aids councelors who will answer all your questions, plus tell you where to get tested.
2006-07-22 13:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by Plus-Sized &Proud 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They now have a test that only takes 15 minutes for a result.
If it is negative, and you don't engage in risky behavior you will not have to worry about it.
2006-07-22 13:48:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IK believe 6 months was the cut off date..but that may not be that long now.
2006-07-22 15:18:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋