Exposed to HIV More Than 72 Hours Ago
Finding out that you might have come into contact with HIV can be scary. Sometimes you find out straight away, but sometimes you don't know until days later. If you don't find out straight away, it can narrow down your options.
Find out more about your choices below.
Find out more about your choices below.
'Can I take PEP?'
Sadly, there is a specific window in which you can take PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). If it has been more than 72 hours, PEP is not an effective treatment. There are other treatments that you can take, if you do develop the illness.
'What Do I Do Now?'
Not everyone who comes into contact with HIV will develop the illness. To find out for sure, you will need a test.
We can't run a test for HIV straight away. This is because it takes time for the virus to multiply in your blood. If you test too early you might get a false negative result. This is a result which is negative even though you do have HIV.
We know that waiting is hard, but it is important. If you test too early, you might not get the treatment you need.
We can't run a test for HIV straight away. This is because it takes time for the virus to multiply in your blood. If you test too early you might get a false negative result. This is a result which is negative even though you do have HIV.
We know that waiting is hard, but it is important. If you test too early, you might not get the treatment you need.
'When Can I Get Tested?'
The waiting time for HIV testing depends on the type of test. There are two main types of HIV test:
This is a test where you give a blood sample at a clinic. The clinic then sends this sample to the lab for testing.
You need to wait 45 days to take this type of test.
This is a test where you prick your finger. You put the small amount of blood that comes out onto a testing device. You can then read the result off the device.
You need to wait 90 days to take this type of test.
If you aren't sure which test to take, please get in touch. Our team can support you in this confusing time.
- Lab-Based Test
This is a test where you give a blood sample at a clinic. The clinic then sends this sample to the lab for testing.
You need to wait 45 days to take this type of test.
- Rapid HIV Test
This is a test where you prick your finger. You put the small amount of blood that comes out onto a testing device. You can then read the result off the device.
You need to wait 90 days to take this type of test.
If you aren't sure which test to take, please get in touch. Our team can support you in this confusing time.
'Will I Get Symptoms?'
Some people do get symptoms after catching HIV (Seroconversion Symptoms), but not everyone does. This means symptoms are not a good way of knowing if you have HIV.
If you think you have come into contact with HIV, you should always test.
If you think you have come into contact with HIV, you should always test.
'What If I Test Positive?'
HIV can be a very scary diagnosis to get. There are lots of myths around HIV and the disease it can cause, AIDS.
Getting HIV does not mean that you are going to die.
There is now treatment for HIV, called antiretroviral therapy. The treatment reduces your viral load - how much virus is in your blood.
The aim of the treatment is an 'undetectable viral load'. That means that tests can't pick up on the amount of HIV in your blood.
If you have an undetectable viral load, HIV does not damage your immune system. It also means you cannot pass on the virus to other people.
For more support with HIV, please check out the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Getting HIV does not mean that you are going to die.
There is now treatment for HIV, called antiretroviral therapy. The treatment reduces your viral load - how much virus is in your blood.
The aim of the treatment is an 'undetectable viral load'. That means that tests can't pick up on the amount of HIV in your blood.
If you have an undetectable viral load, HIV does not damage your immune system. It also means you cannot pass on the virus to other people.
For more support with HIV, please check out the Terrence Higgins Trust.