Seroconversion period

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Seroconversion period

The seroconversion period is a time during which a person who has an infection does not test positive for it. This period occurs before a person has produced a high enough number of antibodies for a test to detect the condition.

Antibodies are proteins made by the body's natural defense system (immune system) to attack and destroy foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. The seroconversion period is also called the antibody development period.

The length of the seroconversion period depends on the type of infection. For example, with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the seroconversion is usually between 1 and 3 months, although it can be as short as 2 weeks or as long as 6 months. During the seroconversion period, an infected person can transmit the disease or condition even if he or she does not have signs of the infection.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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