2006-12-08 08:41:29 · 5 answers · asked by lunachick 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
Hello:
The HIV virus varies in its time detectibility. Many infected individuals will have what is called "acute retroviral syndrome" as early as a month after being infected. Most people dont even know that they are infected until they get a routine HIV test. What we check for when we do an HIV test is the antibodies your body produces when the virus is introduced into the system.
It is variable. After being exposed to the virus, the average time to detectibility is about 6 weeks, however I have seen it as early as one month after exposure and as late as 6 months after exposure. That is the antibody test.
As far as the actual amount of virus in your body, there is a test called an "HIV viral load". Soon after infection the viral load skyrockets and then can go back down to almost undetectible for many months. Ulitmately though, the viral load will begin to rise and rise continuously thereafter.
I hope this helped answer your question.
I see a lot of HIV positve men and women in my practice. Hardly ever see AIDS anymore because of all the new drug "cocktails". People are living with HIV without developing AIDS for decades now (I am referring strictly to the United States). Not so in other parts of the world such as Africa, Thailand, Russia and parts of South America.
Regards,
Warren Shaffer, MD
2006-12-08 08:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by doctordad 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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RE:
How long can HIV lie dormant in your system without being detected by blood tests?
2015-08-10 16:44:41 · answer #2 · answered by Marena 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Initial testing for HIV is designed to detect antibodies to the virus. More than 98% of people who have HIV will produce enough antibodies to HIV to be detected on tests within 3 months of the time they got infected. In very rare cases, it could take up to 6 months for someone to test positive. The virus is never dormant, but it could be several years before symptoms show up. It is important to remember that once someone is infected, they can infect other people, even if they themselves have no symptoms and do not yet test positive.
2016-03-18 10:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For 99% of people it usually shows up within the first 5 years.
2006-12-08 10:30:36 · answer #4 · answered by mermer7@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
30 years or longer.
2006-12-08 08:54:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋