HIV Window Period
What is window period?
Window period is the period in which there are no any antibodies present in the blood after the infection of HIV. The 'window period' is the time that takes time to the body to produce HIV antibodies after infection of virus. The window period may be between 2 weeks to 12 weeks or in some cases the process takes place to 6 months.
During this period the test may come negative if you might be infected with HIV. For example if you had unprotected sex on Monday with infected person and get HIV test on next day then surely it will come negative, because body takes time to make antibodies. If you have HIV test after two months it might be negative because the body is still in the process of producing antibodies. The exact and 97% result may obtain in between 3 to 6 months.
According to CDC (centers for the Disease control and Prevention), the antibodies appears within three months after infection of HIV, which is very normal period in many people. These types of people get detected with HIV positive within three to four months. However, in some persons it takes six months to appear the antibodies in the body and is very rare case. If you had test at six week or after three month and if it became negative then don't believe on it and go for another test after six month, which will give perfect results and to be extra sure about the test.
Window period is the period in which HIV test may not be detected but this period is capable to transmit HIV to other person. In first month there is seroconversion that occurs in the mouth for first time. Seroconversion is nothing but a part of immune response. However, some people experience signs such as flu and cold that will clear up. Frequently there are no any outward indications or signs of HIV exposure.
When the process of preparation of antibodies is taking place in the body the 'seroconversion' from antibody-negative to antibody-positive takes place. This process may take one week to several months. After the appearance of the antibodies in the body the person will get positive test on antibody test.
The window period may be longer in some people that they require HIV test after three to four months after infection. For this reason most of people asked to wait for the HIV test after exposure. There should be follow up test after the first negative test within three month and after six month.
