If you suspect you have been exposed to HIV, you can get tested starting from 10 days after the point of contact with the virus. The HIV RNA/DNA PCR test is designed for early detection of the virus before antibodies have developed in the body. However, this method is expensive, time-consuming, and labour-intensive.
If you want to opt for more affordable options, other HIV tests can be performed from the 3rd week onwards. The other HIV tests work by detecting antibodies that the body forms in response to the virus. These antibodies take time to form, and can take up to 3 months to develop.
Due to the variable time it takes for sufficient antibodies to form in your body, some tests can show up with negative results if taken too early. For more accurate results, (re-)testing at the 3-month mark is recommended.