The virus known as HIV targets the immune system. The risk of cancer and other serious illnesses rises with the progression of an HIV infection.
In the US, exchanging needles with an HIV-positive individual or having intercourse are the main ways that the virus is transmitted. HIV can cause symptoms that are not always noticeable. Therefore, it is possible to have the infection without realizing it.
Types of self-testing for HIV at home
HIV self-test.
One advantage of the HIV self-test is that you can take it wherever that meets your privacy needs, including at home.
A tiny cartridge with a paper test strip, instructions, a bottle of test fluid (to which a blood sample is added), and a trash bag make up the HIV self-test kit. A card with a list of contacts is also included in the pack if you have any questions or concerns regarding the test or the results.
Source: Science Animated
1. Rapid HIV testing is available from the comfort and safety of your home with the help of at-home HIV test kits. They only need a sample of your blood or saliva and are safe, simple to use, and easy to interpret. The results are available to you in 20 to 30 minutes.
The procedures for using an HIV home test kit are as follows:
-Gather a throat swab or blood sample using the directions printed on the testing kit’s back.
-Place the blood sample in the kit’s small test well or the swab sample into the solution supplied.
-After waiting 20 to 30 minutes, the device will display single or double lines to reflect the results.
2. A specimen collection kit with everything needed to extract dried blood from a fingerstick at home is included with a mail-in self-test. A medical professional receives the test results from the lab after the sample is analyzed.
Online orders for mail-in self-tests are accepted. Additionally, certain medical professionals can request that you mail in a self-test.
What happens if test results come out positive?
Reactive HIV self-test results indicate a high likelihood of HIV infection; however, a laboratory-based confirmation test is required to confirm this diagnosis. The patient will require follow-up testing from a healthcare professional.
An HIV diagnosis is made if the confirmatory test yields a positive result. This starts with several procedures, such as post-test counseling, partner notification, Public Health notice, and linkage to care, as with every confirmed HIV-positive diagnosis.
When should an HIV test be taken?
After being exposed to HIV, it may take up to three months for the self-test to pick up enough antibodies. We refer to this as the window period. You can begin a self-test three weeks following exposure, but to ensure accuracy, you must receive a negative result after the window period.
What happens if the test result comes out negative?
No, and test takers must comprehend this. Until at least three months after infection, the test is not accurate in identifying HIV infection. Furthermore, since no test is flawless, false negative results may still occur after three months.
Additionally, because medications may alter antibody levels, people taking them to treat or prevent HIV infection may receive false-negative test results. This means that you should consider your options before acting in a way that increases your chance of contracting HIV, even if your test results are negative.
