When taking the HIV antibody test, it is important to note the incubation period of the virus, that is, how long after one has become infected it takes for that person to develop antibodies or to become ill. Typically, HIV antibody develops within 2 - 6 months after infection. An HIV antibody test performed after infection but before the 2-6 month incubation period is complete may not detect the presence of the virus. Illness with AIDS often begins within the first 5 years after infection. However, it may take 10 years or more before a person infected with the AIDS virus to become ill.
Some people remain asymptomatic, that is, looking and feeling healthy, for long periods of time.
These people, however, can still be contagious and can transmit the virus to sexual partners or those who share needles. Other people develop early signs of HIV infection. Almost everyone has had some of these symptoms at one time or another. We do not yet know how many people who have been infected with HIV will die. Several people have survived more than 10 years with the infection and have no symptoms.