A home HIV test is a quick and discreet way to find out if you are HIV positive. There are currently two HIV tests of this type available on the market - blood and saliva. Unfortunately, there are drawbacks to a home HIV test. Find out how to get a home HIV test and read the results.

HIV home testis a quick and discreet test that detects antibodies against human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and 2. There are currently two types of HIV home test available - with blood and saliva.

HIV home test from saliva

The home HIV saliva test includes a test device at the end of which is a saliva sampler (shaped like a stick), a support for buffer fluid, and buffer fluid.

How to do an HIV saliva test? Open the buffer fluid container and place it on the base. Then take the test device out of the package - do it in such a way that you do not touch the probe at its end with your fingers. Collect saliva by gently running the stick at the end of the test device over the upper and lower gums (on the outside). Then place the sampler with the collected saliva in the buffer fluid container. The saliva sample is diagnosed for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2. The waiting time for the results is 20 to 40 minutes.

One dash indicates a negative test result, i.e. HIV 1 and / or HIV 2 antibodies in saliva have not been found. Two lines indicate a positive test result, i.e. HIV 1 and / or HIV2 antibodies have been found. In that case, you should visit a doctor to perform specialist tests and confirm the results of a home HIV test.

The price of the test is approximately PLN 180.

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A home HIV test is best done 3 months after possible infection, as the virus may not be detectable for about that long.

The home HIV test is not 100 percent. reliable - a positive result does not mean that the person is definitely infected with HIV. In case of a positive result, be sure to see a doctor for tests that confirm or rule out the results of the home test. The company that produces a home HIV test from saliva, stipulates that the virus remainsdetected in the test in 92 percent people who are actually carriers. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the home blood test for HIV is much higher - as the manufacturer argues, it gives a certain result in 99.96% when performed in the right period.

Home HIV testing should be CE and FDA-marked.

The HIV saliva test is not intended for people under the age of 16.

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HIV home blood test

The home blood test for HIV consists of an alcohol swab, a lancet (a device that contains a needle that pricks a finger to collect a blood sample), a pipette (a plastic tube used to transfer blood) , a reagent (known as a buffer or developer), and a tester, which consists of two components - a window on which you apply the blood sample, and a window that shows the test result.

Use a cotton ball to disinfect the fingertip from which blood will be collected. Then prick the side of the fingertip and gently massage the finger towards the fingertip to form a drop of blood. Then take blood with a pipette and transfer it to the window on the tester. Finally, add two drops of developer to the blood sample. You will wait 15 minutes for the test results.

The results are interpreted in the same way as for the HIV saliva test, i.e. one line indicates a negative test result and two lines indicates that HIV 1 and / or HIV2 antibodies in the blood have been found. You should also visit a doctor in this case to perform specialist tests and confirm the results of a home HIV test.

The price of the test is about PLN 90.

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HIV home test - where to buy?

In Poland, a homeHIV testfrom blood is availableat the pharmacy . The saliva one can only be purchased on the website of the company that sells this type of self-test tests.

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