How long is the incubation period until the test is positive? | HIV test

How long is the incubation period until the test is positive?

The rapid test will show either a positive or negative result approximately 30 minutes after the application of the blood drops. The test covers the previous 12 weeks. This means that if an infection with HIV occurred during this time or earlier, the test would become positive. However, an infection that occurred more recently cannot be detected with the rapid test.

Do I have to be sober for an HIV test?

Unlike other blood tests, you do not need to be sober to get an HIV test or rapid test. A meal before taking the blood sample does not influence or falsify the laboratory results.

Is an HIV test necessary before surgery?

Although it would contribute to the general safety of the treating physicians, an HIV test before surgery is not obligatory. If a patient is suffering from hepatitis infection, it may be considered to have an HIV test before surgery. Before an HIV test is performed, the patient must give written consent.

The HIV test is not allowed to be performed without the patient’s consent and signature. However, if a patient is obviously in a difficult life situation (e.g. drug addiction or homelessness), a doctor may urge the patient to have an HIV test before surgery, in order to better protect himself or herself during surgery. Here too, however, the written permission of the patient is urgently required.

Although the prognosis for HIV patients today is much better than in the past decades, it is still a lifelong disease that is associated with restrictions throughout life. Therefore, it is important to avoid further infections and to protect oneself from infection. The most important part of this prevention is certainly education about the disease itself and the sources of infection.

It is therefore not only the task of health policymakers, but also of parents and doctors to educate people about the importance of sexual intercourse protected by the use of condoms.HIV, although it is very easy to protect against it, is still mainly sexually transmitted, possibly because fear in society has decreased significantly thanks to medical advances. Moreover, vulnerable professionals, such as doctors, should be careful with the tips and surgical equipment they use. It is therefore important for everyone to be aware of the risk of infection.

If, despite all caution, contact with possibly infected material has nevertheless occurred, there is the possibility of so-called post-exposure prophylaxis. This is only useful in the first two days after contact and consists of a high-dose ART. In this way, a beginning infection can be prevented.