How Long Do Accurate HIV Test Results Take?
Question by The dude: How long do accurate HIV test results take?
It is generally agreed that 3 months is the average time for accurate HIV test results. I have heard that it can take up to 6 months but this is not common. I have also heard that the 6 month testing period can be caused by specific medical conditions including heavy drug usage. The person in question was at one point a drug user but has not been doing drugs for about a year and was not necessarily a “heavy user” but still did psychedelics, marijuana, cocaine and heroine, heroine and cocaine was done only a few times and has not been done since. This person tested negative at the three month mark but is still in fear of a positive result. The clinic said to not even worry about coming back for a follow up as they are confident it is fine. Can anyone provide additional and reliable information please?
Best answer:
Answer by Answer Fairy
You’re going to want to get tested at he six month mark. The three month test is very probably accurate, but your mind won’t rest until you do it again.
I’m not at risk at all, but I still get tested every single year. Health insurance pays for it. When I go in for my yearly physical, I get everything done. Vaginal, general, STD testing, HIV tests, cancer screens, cholesterol, etc. Everything. I’m married and have never done a single intravenous drug in my entire life… but it’s still smart to get tested every year. What if my husband cheated? I certainly don;t THINK he would, but there are never guarantees in life. I’d rather know sooner than later. The sooner you know, the better chance you have of surviving.
My brother, on the other hand, engages is extremely high risk behavior. He is getting his life in shape, but he used to be very naughty. He’s gay and an alcoholic (recovering now). In the past, he was promiscuous, didn’t always use a condom (as pregnancy is impossible), he drank a lot (thus sometimes blacking out and not remembering how many men he’d done or whether ANY of them had been safe), narcotic usage, etc. The list goes on and on. Two years ago, he got into an AA housing program and has been clean ever since (although that was NOT his first time in rehab). Even though he is no longer drinking, sleeping around and shooting drugs, he still goes in to get tested every six months. He was VERY lucky. He does not have HIV. Above, you mention drug use. It’s not the drugs themselves that give you HIV, it’s intravenous needle sharing. Pot is not an issue.
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