Quick Answer
HIV window periods by test type: 4th-generation lab blood test detects 95% of infections by 4 weeks and 99% by 6 weeks. RNA tests detect 10-14 days post-exposure. Rapid oral tests require 90 days for full reliability.
- 4th-generation lab: 95% at 4 weeks, 99%+ by 6 weeks
- RNA (NAT): 10-14 days — detects viral genetic material
- Rapid point-of-care: 23-90 days depending on generation
- Home oral tests: 90 days for reliable result
Context Most Pages Skip
The window period is the gap between exposure and the test detecting the virus. During this time, you can be infected and infectious but test negative.
Practical Timeline
For most people, a 4th-generation lab test at 6 weeks is definitive. RNA testing at 10-14 days is available for high-risk exposures. Rapid tests require 90 days for full confidence.
⚕️ This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed clinician. If you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested — most infections are manageable, and many are fully curable.
Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.