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Q: HIV Tests

asked by: DoctorQuestion on March 4th, 2008

I was tested about 5-6 days shy of 3 months after having unprotected sex with a college female. I went to go get tested 4 days after and the hiv test was negative, however I tested positive for chlamydia. I have been cleared of that meanwhile I have been tested again for hiv 2 and a half months (around 5 or 6 days short of three months) following the unprotected sex and that test came back negative

I know I should go get tested again 3 months from now but how accurate were my previous two tests?

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on March 15th, 2008

HIV and AIDS Answer A3801

HIV cannot typically be detected until after a "window period" of about 3 months during which time the antibodies the test looks for are being created. HIV tests performed within that window period will almost certainly be negative, even if later tests prove to be positive. You may want to wait a full three months before being tested again.

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