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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can You Be HIV+ And Test Negative( Perhaps Virus Is Dormant)..and Then Test Positive. Just Not Sure When This Happened 😕

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
TEXAS, TX
January 22
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A myHIVteam Member

Yes, it is possible to be HIV-positive and initially test negative if the test is done too early. This is due to the "window period," which is the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect the virus or antibodies. Here are some key points:

- Window Periods for Different Tests
- Nucleic acid test: 10 to 33 Show Full Answer

Yes, it is possible to be HIV-positive and initially test negative if the test is done too early. This is due to the "window period," which is the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect the virus or antibodies. Here are some key points:

- Window Periods for Different Tests:
- Nucleic acid test: 10 to 33 days after exposure.
- Antigen/antibody test from blood draw: 18 to 45 days after exposure.
- Rapid antigen/antibody test from a finger stick: 18 to 90 days after exposure.
- Rapid/self-test for antibodies: 23 to 90 days after exposure.

- False-Negative Results: If you test during the window period, you might receive a false-negative result, meaning the test reads negative even though you are infected.

- Retesting: It’s important to test again after the window period has ended to get the most accurate results.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the knowledge base provided.

July 20
A myHIVteam Member

That can happen, if this is happening to you . It may be a sign that you are a long term suppressor and if your at that status for several years you will be classified as Elite Controller. The viral load must be 20 copies per mil. There are cases where no virus found in blood or lymphoid. This means you have used no meds and your C8 did there job.

January 23
A myHIVteam Member

Yes it happened to me. Several test said I was negative, then next test showed not HIV but AIDS. After doing several rounds of labs and them mapping the infection rate, they estimated I had it for about 12 years.

January 22
A myHIVteam Member

That would be a false reading which happens from time to time
Once we are poz we aren't going to be neg. But occasionally a test will give inaccurate results. Why keep testing once.poz is diagnosed???

January 22
A myHIVteam Member

Yes that happens….

January 22

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