HIV antibody test

A test to check for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An HIV antibody test checks for HIV antibodies in a sample of blood, urine, or saliva. It can take from 2 weeks to 6 months after a person is infected with HIV before the antibodies are found with this test. It is the most common type of HIV test.