Are we all on the same page about when a person who is at high risk should get an HIV test? There are new HIV testing recommendations in our province for persons who are at higher risk for contracting the virus.

It’s recommended that after a high risk exposure, a first test should be done three (3) weeks after that exposure. At that point the P24 (P24 is a protein on the surface of the HIV virus) antigen test can detect parts of the virus in the blood. There is also some evidence that tells us that point of care tests can detect the HIV antibody at this point too.

A second test is recommended at six (6) weeks as 95% of infections can be detected at this stage. And a third and final test is recommended at three (3) months after exposure, as this is the time an HIV infection from that exposure can be ruled out.

It’s important that we’re all on the same page. For more information on HIV testing check out CATIE’s resources by clicking here.