What does the window period refer to?
HIV antibodies generally do not reach detectable levels until 1 to 3 months following initial infection and may, on rare occasions, take up to 6 months to be generated in quantities large enough to show up in standard blood tests for HIV antibodies. This time period between becoming initially infected with HIV and the time it takes for your body to develop antibodies is called the window period. The window period of seroconversion can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure to HIV. It is a very rare event that an individual will seroconvert after 6 months.
