HIV possibility after 79 days of HIV test

Dear Ask The Doctor: Possibility of HIV after 79 days of HIV test

Dear Prasant: HIV tests work by measuring the antibodies produced when a person has been infected with HIV. These antibodies are special proteins that are produced by the body to fight off infection. The detection of these HIV antibodies means that a person has been infected with HIV. Most people develop detectable HIV antibodies within 6 to 12 weeks of infection. Only in very rare circumstances do we see development of HIV antibodies taking 6 months or more. The period of time between HIV infection and the production of antibodies is know as the "window" period. During this time an HIV test may be negative even though a person is infected with HIV. To avoid false negative results, antibody tests are recommended three months after potential exposure to HIV infection. A negative test at three months will almost always mean a person is not infected with HIV. If an individual’s test is still negative at six months, and they have not been at risk of HIV infection in the meantime, it means they are not infected with HIV.