Unfortunately, these HIV tests aren't accurate immediately after infection because it takes time for your body to produce antibodies to the virus. Most people develop antibodies to the HIV virus within three to six months of infection A negative test result from HIV testing may mean one of two things: You don't have HIV, or it's too soon yet to tell. If you were only recently exposed to HIV, you could test negative for HIV antibodies because your body hasn't had time to create them yet. You may want to be retested for HIV antibodies in a few months or opt for one of the early-detection tests.