The window period can sort of be thought of as an STD test waiting period.
After you are exposed to a disease and become infected, you wont test positive right away.
Instead, there is generally a length of time before you will test positive for the disease.
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That period is known as the window period or the STD testing window.
How long it takes to test positivefor a disease such as an STD depends on a number of factors.
It is very important to discuss when that exposure might have happened.
Testing while you are still inside the window period could lead toinconsistent test results.
It could also cause a misleadingly false negative test.
It takes a while before tests to become accurate.
Unfortunately, that means that you just have to be careful while you wait.
They might then get rested with NAAT, which has a window period of about 10 to 33 days.
If you think you have had a recent HIV exposure, its better to be safe than sorry.
Consistently using barrier methods during sex can protect your partners.
Talking to your healthcare provider, and scheduling appropriate testing, can protect you.
2015;26(4):215-24. doi:10.1177/0956462414542987
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for HIV.
