#AskTheHIVDoc 

Dr. David talks about HIV testing and the facts on the “window period” after a negative result.
#AskTheHIVDoc is a video series from Greater Than HIV where top HIV doctors give frank, no-nonsense responses to commonly asked questions from gay men about a range of sexual health topics, including personal risk, PrEP and other prevention tools, testing, and treatment. For more information, visit: greaterthan.org....
These videos are provided for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Dr. David: I went to my doctor’s office and I got tested for HIV. It was negative, but my doctor wants me to come back to get a repeat test in 4 weeks. Why is that?
Dr. Demetre: You have some questions? We know HIV.
Dr. David: I’m a doctor. I’m trained for this.
Dr. Leandro: We’re gonna give you what you need.
Dr. David: The reason why we get repeat tests after 4 weeks, and sometimes as long as 6 weeks after initial exposure, is because we’re worried about what’s called the window period with HIV. You have to wait a good 4 to 6 weeks sometimes to actually allow the immune system to produce the antibodies that will show up in a positive test. So again when you look at it this way, if you’re worried about an exposure, go to the doctor’s office, get the test at that moment, and then go back for a repeat in about 4 weeks just to make sure everything’s okay. As gay men we should be getting tested every 3 to 6 months anyway, so it’s probably a good practice to do.