When is the best time to test for HIV antigen?

The antigen of HIV refers to the P24 antigen of HIV, which can be detected in the body of an infected person about 2-3 weeks after infection, and can therefore be tested in the hospital about 3-4 weeks after a high-risk behavior. If the appropriate antigen is detected at this time, the diagnosis can be confirmed. For a final diagnosis, a confirmatory test should be performed, which uses a protein blot to detect the presence of HIV antibodies in the patient’s body. Once a patient is diagnosed with HIV, he or she should be treated with antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible to avoid progression to the AIDS stage.