Triangle of Self-Care: Understanding the Window Period
By Mark Angelo de Castro A common question regarding HIV testing is: “When should I go for one?” Some say HIV testing should be done regularly, at least once a year. Others say it has to be twice a year, and there are those who say it should be done quarterly. None of them are wrong, but none of the statements are entirely correct either. This is because the correct time a person has to undergo HIV testing depends on his/her actions and behaviors. But for us to understand the relevant factors to determine the correct timing, we have to learn and understand the concept of the window period. The Window Metaphor The “window period [1] ” is the time between a potential exposure to HIV infection and when an HIV test will give an accurate result with the appearance of detectable antibodies [2] . The same as how “the birds and bees” metaphor is used to explain sexual intercourse to children, we could use an actual window to explain how the window period works. The image below shows four boxe...