Testing

Only your doctor or health care worker can tell you your HIV test results.

• If your HIV test result is positive, it means you have HIV.
• If your test result is negative, it means HIV has not shown up in your blood. That could be because you do not have HIV, but it could mean you are in 'the window period'.

The window period means HIV might be in your blood, but it is too early to show up in a test. It usually shows up in a few weeks after a risk for HIV but can take up to 6 to 12 weeks. If you have had a test in the window period, you will need to have another test after the window period to double check the results. These results will be accurate if you do not have unprotected sex or share needles in the window period.

Your doctor or health care worker can explain a negative test result and help work out exactly what it means.