Can they tell how long you have had HIV?

Answer 1

Only in rare cases would a reasonably precise time frame be possible but there are some indicators that can narrow it down.

1) a history of symptoms. Early HIV infection can have mild, flu-like symptoms and/or a mild rash similar to a heat rash. The symptoms are so mild that most people won't recall them unless the infection was very recent.

2) a history of negative HIV tests. A new infection will most likely have occurred between the last negative and first positive tests. It will not be more than a few weeks older than the last negative test in cases where the infection occurred slightly before the last negative test. By looking at the testing history it is possible to narrow down the time frame.

A person who tests annually will have the best precision using this method.

3) a recent positive partner. This is the least reliable method as only in very rare cases would it be possible to determine which partner was the source of the infection. However, if a reliable history can be ascertained and only one infected partner is found then it is possible to narrow down the time frame. Again, this is an unreliable method as it is very difficult if not impossible to ascertain the HIV status of all partners.

Answer 2

Yes, there are tests that can be taken that will let doctors know if someone has transmitted HIV.

Answer 3

There's no test that can tell how long you have had HIV. A history of a prior negative test can narrow the possibilities.

Answer 4

GHGV