I recently went to the doc's office for a yearly physical and asked to have an HIV test. I had one last year as well, and it was negative. My doctor proceded to inquire if I had knowingly come into contact with it....I'm assuming she meant, had I had sex with or shared needles with an HIV+ person. I responded with a negative, but you never know for sure if someone is carrying the disease....pretty basic concept, one would think.

Unfortunately, :-( I haven't had sex with anyone since November, so I was pretty sure that an HIV test would be conclusive at this time, being almost 4 months since my last sexual encounter. She quickly pointed out that it can take years for a test to show the presence of HIV in the body. Surely she can't be correct?? I was always told that 12 weeks was a good barometer.

Any thoughts?

Chris

chris: by CSC standard the three month test is considered pretty conclusive. However, for the sake of peace of mind, some people have a test again at 6 months and then again at 9 months. But, again, the three month period is, by all standards, conclusive. chris