Thursday, November 12, 2009

how long after contracting hiv/aids will it take to be definitely apparent

how long after contracting hiv/aids will it take to be definitely apparent?
I mean if you get a blood test two days after you get it will it definitely show up? Or should you wait six months or something?
Medicine - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You have to wait at least 3 months - it's called the window period where the virus may not show up
2 :
To learn more about HIV and AIDS, check out these sites below. I would start with the CDC website.
3 :
My father's infectious disease doctor always told us it could be as late as six or nine months before the ELISA test will show antibodies for the viral infection...so not only should you be tested at six months, but maybe at nine months, too. When you have been exposed, it is important to test more than once, because sometimes individual results are not accurate. It is possible to get a false positive, as well as a false negative. I know it's scary...it's a hard wait...but hang in there! Keep in mind that HIV is only transmitted from the transfer of bodily fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is NOT transmitted through saliva, sweat or urine. If you kissed someone with HIV, you wouldn't be at risk unless that person had a huge bleeding cut in his/her mouth. You cannot get HIV from contact with a person's skin. Risky practices associated with HIV include unprotected sex (oral, vaginal, and anal), sex during which a condom breaks, and using intravenous drugs (like heroin). HIV is rarely transmitted through dentist/doctors offices, anymore. It is rarely transmitted through blood transfusions. Careful screenings are now done to ensure sanitation. Approximately 1% of the population has a fortunate deletion mutation in its genetic coding for CD4 receptors. It is called the Delta-32 mutation. If you are part of this 1%, you are highly unlikely to catch HIV upon exposure. Do not, however, rely on this protection, if you are tested for this mutation. That said, if you think you have been exposed, peace of mind is always a good thing and you should get tested. Refrain from unprotected sexual activity and NEVER, under any circumstances, use an illicit IV drug. Never share needles.

Read more discussions :