HIV tests can determine the presence of the HIV, and the results are presented as either HIV Positive or HIV Negative, with a positive result indicating the presence of the virus in the body.
However, a negative result doesn’t necessarily indicate the absence of HIV. This is due to the window period between the time when a person is infected and when a test can accurately detect the virus. This window period varies from person-to-person and also according to the type of test. On average, the window period ranges from 3 weeks to 3 months[6]. If the HIV test was conducted within 3 months of exposure and the result was negative, getting tested again in 3 months can help be sure of the result[12].