Each respondent's previous health services utilization was measured by the total number of medical visits recorded in the RAMQ patient file for the 12 months preceding the QHS interview.
In general, antibody tests that use blood can detect HIV slightly sooner after infection than tests done with oral fluid. It can take 3 to 12 weeks (21-84 days) for an HIV-positive personâs body to make enough antibodies for an antibody test to detect HIV infection. This is called the window period.
Although most HIV tests look for these antibodies, some look for the virus itself. The period after infection but before the test becomes positive is called the window period. Deciding when to get tested therefore depends on when you may have been exposed and which test is used.You can ask your health care provider about the window period for the HIV test you are taking. If you are using a home test, you can get that information from the materials included in the packaging of the test.lthough most HIV tests look for these antibodies, some look for the virus itself. The period after infection but before the test becomes positive is called the window period. Deciding when to get tested therefore depends on when you may have been exposed and which test is used.