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What You Need to Know About HIV Antibody Testing
HIV antibody testing detects for HIV antibodies, NOT the HIV virus itself—an important fact to consider when receiving HIV antibody results. The human immune system creates HIV antibodies as a response to an HIV infection, but it usually takes anywhere from 10 days to 3 months, perhaps longer in some cases, from the day of infection for the body to create enough anti-bodies to be detected in a blood test. Because of this delay, a negative HIV antibody test result does NOT guarantee that someone is not infected with HIV. It is important to understand the HIV antibody testing process and its limitations, especially when making decisions about sexual risk based on HIV antibody test results.
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Remember, early detection of HIV infection can increase your options around taking care of your health and making decisions about treatment, as well as protecting the health of your sexual partners.
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Do you think you've had a risky exposure to HIV within the last 3 days? Call (617) 927-6440 right away to learn if PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is for you. PEP is a combination of anti HIV medications that may prevent HIV from taking hold in your body. Call now to learn more.
Ask Doctor Cox has received a number of emails asking about MRSA (drug resistant staph infection) in response to recent media reports of a new multi-drug resistant strain found in some gay and bisexual men. More here.
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Responses may take up to one week, so if you have an urgent medical or mental health question, please contact your provider. Fenway's Medical Appointment Line is (617) 927-6000 and Fenway's Mental Health & Addiction Services Department can be reached at (617) 927-6202.
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