HIV Testing

The only way to know for sure if a person has HIV. HIV testing involves testing a person's blood for antigens or proteins from the virus and antibodies which are part of a person's immune response against infection. 

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There are several different types of tests that a doctor may use. Rapid HIV Tests are finger-stick blood tests that test for antibodies against HIV and can detect HIV 18-90 days after infection. Combination HIV tests are blood tests that identify antigens from the virus and antibodies. Combination HIV testing can detect HIV 18-45 days after infection. Nucleic Acid Test or NAT detects genetic material from HIV and can detect HIV 10-33 days after infection.