Hi Nervous, When a person is infected with HIV, the immune system quickly begins to produce antibodies in response to the virus. Everyone produces antibodies at different rates. The test does not detect the virus itself but the presence of antibodies in the blood, hence the window period. Although there is still no cure for HIV, antiretrovirals can suppress the virus. This is not to say that the virus disappears - the virus cells lay dormant. If a person was to test 6/7 years post any possible exposure, the virus would still be detectable. Our test detects antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2. I hope this information helps, if you have any other questions, please feel free to leave them below. Kindest regards, Becky