After exposure to a bloodborne pathogen (BBP), symptoms can develop in a variable timeframe depending on the specific pathogen. Generally, symptoms may appear as early as 2 weeks after exposure or may take up to 6 months to manifest. For example, Hepatitis B symptoms usually develop between 2 weeks and 6 months post-exposure, with an average incubation period of about 60 to 90 days. Similarly, for Hepatitis C, symptoms can also appear from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Some infections may remain asymptomatic for a long period or even permanently in some cases.
HIV symptoms, if they occur, typically include flu-like illness within weeks to a few months, but progression to AIDS can take years without treatment.
In summary, the onset of symptoms after exposure to a BBP varies but for common BBPs like HBV and HCV, symptoms often develop within 2 weeks to 6 months, with many cases showing symptoms around 1 to 3 months after exposure.