Conducting HIV Home Test

Having AIDS is a very serious condition. It is a fatal disease that results from being infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). You can get this infection from having sexual contact with an HIV infected person. HIV can be transmitted if you have unprotected sex or share needles with an infected person. If you think that you are highly at risk for the disease because you have multiple sexual partners or if you think that your partner is HIV positive, you should immediately subject yourself for HIV testing. If you can’t go to health centers, you can take an HIV home test.

Finding a reliable HIV test

There are many HIV home test kits that are marketed and sold in pharmacies, health centers, clinics, and hospitals. You can even get some test kits over the internet or through ads and promotions published in local publications and business directories. Most of these tests are said to detect HIV-1 antibodies in the blood or the saliva. Some manufacturers claim that they can detect HIV infection within just a few minutes, and without the need to consult clinicians. However, not all of these tests have been approved by the FDA. According to the FDA, most of the quick tests may be simple but they are mostly inaccurate.

Among the most recommended HIV home tests is the HIV-1 Home Collection Test System which is manufactured by Home Access Health Corporation. This was the first home test that was approved by the United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

How does a home test work?

The Home Collection Test System is composed of a variety of components such as the materials for specimen collection and a mailing envelope which you will use to send your body fluid sample for laboratory analysis. Some HIV home test systems will include counseling services – before and after the testing procedure.

The testing phase is quite simple. You just have to conduct the simple home blood collection process by pricking your finger and collecting the blood spots on a special paper. Then, you should mail the dried blood spots to the laboratory for expert analysis.

For confidentiality purposes, the mail will have a confidential and anonymous personal identification number (PIN). Your identity will not be revealed to the staff of the testing company. Using cautious measures and procedures, the specimen will then be analyzed by trained clinicians in a special medical laboratory. After a certain period of time, you can then get the results of the HIV home test by calling a toll free telephone number. The post-test counseling will also be conducted by phone.  GP