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What is the window period for HIV Western blot test?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

What is the window period for the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) western blot test from the date of a suspected exposure? And, what is the accuracy of the test?

Kindly guide.
Answered by Dr. Meha Malhotra

Education:

MD DVL

Professional Bio:

Dr. Meha Malhotra is a Dermatologist, Venereologist, and HIV specialist who completed her MD in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from Gujarat University in 2012. She diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails. She also specializes in treating conditions affecting mucous membranes or the delicate tissue that lines the mouth, nose, and eyelids. She has given a fine-tune to many beautiful faces and helped her patients achieve the long-sought and chiseled features. She is currently practicing in Ahmedabad with 11 years of clinical experience.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Western blot is a confirmatory test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), not a primary one. It is highly sensitive and specific. It comes positive in six to eight weeks of exposure.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

My last suspected exposure was 45 days ago. Now, which test shall I go for to ensure that I am not infected?

Answered by Dr. Meha Malhotra

Education:

MD DVL

Professional Bio:

Dr. Meha Malhotra is a Dermatologist, Venereologist, and HIV specialist who completed her MD in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from Gujarat University in 2012. She diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails. She also specializes in treating conditions affecting mucous membranes or the delicate tissue that lines the mouth, nose, and eyelids. She has given a fine-tune to many beautiful faces and helped her patients achieve the long-sought and chiseled features. She is currently practicing in Ahmedabad with 11 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Get a fourth-generation ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test done for HIV 1 and HIV-2, as it has been six weeks after the exposure. Repeat it after three months of exposure, pertaining to the fact that you have no exposure in between. If both are negative, you need not worry. Do send us the reports for evaluation.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Three months is a long time to wait. Are there any other tests for an early confirmation? I had a blood test 45 days ago, which was a home sample collection. I have some fear and anxiety about whether they used a new syringe needle or an old one. That is the reason I am planning to get this test done.

Answered by Dr. Meha Malhotra

Education:

MD DVL

Professional Bio:

Dr. Meha Malhotra is a Dermatologist, Venereologist, and HIV specialist who completed her MD in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from Gujarat University in 2012. She diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails. She also specializes in treating conditions affecting mucous membranes or the delicate tissue that lines the mouth, nose, and eyelids. She has given a fine-tune to many beautiful faces and helped her patients achieve the long-sought and chiseled features. She is currently practicing in Ahmedabad with 11 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Even small laboratories maintain basic standards these days. So, do not worry too much. ELISA is done at six weeks and three months after exposure because a very small number of patients do not develop antibodies by six weeks. The fourth generation tests detect both antigen and antibodies. The repeat test in the third month is just to be sure. RNA PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a test that is the first to be positive within days of the exposure.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At July 30, 2018
Reviewed At November 27, 2025

Education:

MD DVL

Professional Bio:

Dr. Meha Malhotra is a Dermatologist, Venereologist, and HIV specialist who completed her MD in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from Gujarat University in 2012. She diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails. She also specializes in treating conditions affecting mucous membranes or the delicate tissue that lines the mouth, nose, and eyelids. She has given a fine-tune to many beautiful faces and helped her patients achieve the long-sought and chiseled features. She is currently practicing in Ahmedabad with 11 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Meha Malhotra
Dr. Meha Malhotra

Dermatology

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Education:

MD DVL

Professional Bio:

Dr. Meha Malhotra is a Dermatologist, Venereologist, and HIV specialist who completed her MD in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from Gujarat University in 2012. She diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails. She also specializes in treating conditions affecting mucous membranes or the delicate tissue that lines the mouth, nose, and eyelids. She has given a fine-tune to many beautiful faces and helped her patients achieve the long-sought and chiseled features. She is currently practicing in Ahmedabad with 11 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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