The test cannot tell how long a person has been infected. It does not mean that you have AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. It may mean that you have the virus, but your body has not yet made antibody to fight the virus. It could take up to six months after infection for the test to turn positive. False results are rare.
Unclear results are also rare.
When a test result does not seem to make sense, we do the test again. We might do another kind of blood test to find out if you are infected or not. This is what will happen if you decide to have the test. First, you will meet with a counselor. The counselor will give you more information about the risks and benefits of the test.