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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.
Make an appointment with your doctor, tell them when you might have been exposed, and get an HIV blood test. Keep in mind, timing matters. No test can detect an HIV infection immediately after you contract it. It may take up to 12 weeks for HIV antibodies to become detectable in your blood. If you receive a negative result on your first test, ask your doctor if and when you should schedule a follow-up test.