Feb 11, 2025 · No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. That's because of the window period—the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body.

Sep 4, 2025 · Most rapid tests and self-tests are antibody tests. In general, antibody tests that use blood from a vein detect HIV sooner after infection than tests done with blood from a finger …

You can visit the CDC’s Get Tested website to find free, fast, confidential testing sites in your local community and learn more about HIV, STI/STD and hepatitis testing.

Dec 18, 2025 · Key Takeaways An HIV test can be done using a blood or saliva sample. Rapid point-of-care tests give results in about 20 minutes. Nucleic acid tests are the most accurate …

Oct 25, 2022 · To diagnose HIV, your healthcare provider can order any of three types of tests. Depending on the test, you’ll provide a blood sample (from a vein or a finger prick) or an oral …

Jul 30, 2024 · HIV testing, also called HIV screening, is the only way to know if you have the virus. Several types of tests check your blood or other body fluids to see whether you're infected. …

Mar 3, 2022 · At-home tests can provide a rapid result, potentially easing a person’s concerns while they wait for an appointment. HIV does not always cause symptoms in the early stages. …

Rapid tests are usually reliable for long-standing infections, but are sometimes unable to detect recent HIV infections acquired in the past few weeks. Many tests are based on older ‘second …

May 28, 2025 · There are three types of tests used to diagnose HIV: antibody tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests (NATs). Your health care provider can determine …

Rapid HIV testing is now highly recommended and has become the mainstay of most HIV screening programs. What Are the Advantages of a Rapid HIV Test? The rapid test allows for …