Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 9/20/2006

Question
I've read a lot about HIV tests. Many websites say that the window period is 3 months and any test before that period is not reliable. Some doctors in some other websites like "The Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Forum" are saying that with these days’ tests, antibodies can be detected within 4-6 weeks. They simply say that a 6 week test is a reliable one, but they still recommend a second test after 3 months just to be 100% sure about it. Is it true that the test result after 6 weeks is a reliable one?

Many thanks
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Followup To

Question -
Can I get infected by the HIV virus by rubbing my Penis against my girl's vagina?
FYI
1. No condoms were used.
2. There was no penetration at all. The rubbing was on the most outer part of her vagina. 3. The urethra (opening of Penis) most likely didn't touch the vagina.

Answer -
You can get HIV if infected vaginal fluid entered your penis during the rubbing.

Answer
In most cases, yes, that would be reliable. But it varies from person to person... some people take longer to produce enough HIV antibodies to be detected by the test. That is why to be 100%, people must always test outside of the window period. There is no way to know who takes longer.