The HIV window period is the period of time from when HIV enters the body until antibodies are produced, called the window period. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for the HIV virus to enter the human bloodstream and produce antibodies, and up to 8 weeks before HIV antibodies can be detected in the blood. Because HIV antibodies cannot be detected during the period of time between infection and the production of antibodies in the body, it is clinically known as the window period, or null period. However, individuals infected with HIV are also infectious during the window period. Although no HIV antibodies can be detected during the window period, HIV nucleic acid tests show that the HIV viral load in the body of an infected individual during the window period has reached a peak, making him or her extremely infectious. Patients who are suspected to be infected with HIV should take the HIV-RNA test in time to avoid delaying their condition and infecting others.