Health: Hiv Home Test Kits

AIDS is a terrible disease that can be deadly. Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1), the virus that causes AIDS, can be detected by taking a test that can search for the presence of antibodies to the virus.

Your doctor's office or clinic can provide testing that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the presence of the HIV-1 antibodies.At the present time, there is only one HIV home testing kit that is approved by the FDA.This test kit is called "Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System" and it is manufactured by a company called Home Access Health Corporation.This approved test uses a blood collection process, where one would simply prick their finger with the supplied tool, and provide a sample of blood onto a special paper that is provided with the test kit.The dried blood sample is then sent to an approved laboratory, were the blood is analyzed by certified clinicians.The consumer is provided with a confidential personal identification number that is included within the test kit and sends this number with the blood sample.The purchaser of the kit can then call a toll-free number that is provided within the testing kit, in order to obtain the test results, and appropriate confidential counseling is also provided by phone, after the results have been obtained.This testing kit comes with detailed instructions for using the kit, and all of the materials needed to perform the test as well as materials and instructions for sending the blood sample correctly.

Many consumers show great concern in the area of confidentiality.With the approved HIV home testing kit, one can be assured that all information is kept confidential. The approved HIV home testing kit is anonymous. When a consumer purchases the kit, they do not have to provide any information. It can be paid for anonymously at pharmacies or ordered by mail from the manufacturer. The mail-in system uses a confidential code number that is not related in any way to the identity of the buyer or user of the testing kit.

Some states in the U.S.A. require that when new cases of HIV occur, they must be reported to the appropriate department of health.When using the home testing system, only the number of cases positively detected by the tests can be reported.In these cases, the identity of the test user remains anonymous.

The HIV home testing kits that are not approved by the FDA may be less expensive, or seem similar to the approved test available.Some of them even claim to be able to provide results at home, without sending any sample to a laboratory for analysis.It is important for consumers to be aware that these other unapproved tests may provide a faster or simpler process, but there accuracy is also compromised by not obtaining results in a certified, controlled environment.Diagnostic testing is an extremely precise science.The unapproved testing kits also do not provide direct post-test counseling.In addition, most of these unapproved tests have no guarantees or substantial history showing accurate results can be obtained by using them.

In the future there may be other HIV home testing kits that will be approved by the FDA, and consumers can call the FDA, or visit the FDA web site to check for updates on new home testing kits.Additionally, those who live in countries other than the United States, can check with their countries official health organizations, to clarify which HIV home testing products are approved for consumer use.

Whether one makes the decision to test for HIV at home, or at a doctor's office or clinic, the most important thing is to get tested.If choosing an at home testing kit, be positive that you have chosen a home kit that has been approved by professionals, and that can prove to you, the consumer, that is has a history of providing accurate test results.Keep in mind that HIV is a serious disease.Even though counseling can be obtained at no charge by phone to those who choose the home test approved by the FDA, counseling provided in person, may be needed and is highly recommended.