Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.How soon after contact should I be tested for HIV?
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
It is a good idea to test as soon as possible after a possible exposure, so that you know that at baseline you are HIV-negative (or already have HIV, as the case might be). But then, most people test between 2 and 4 weeks. A negative test at 4 weeks is reassuring, but then test again at 3 months for a definitive result, i.e. if negative at 3 months, you do not have HIV.
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