The Pros And Cons Of Hiv Home Test

By Author: Julia Bennet
Total Articles: 1401
Comment this article

Methods of HIV home test are now available on the market. Although it might seem to be the most convenient way to test do HIV test at home, it is definitely not the final result. Home testing is also not meant for everyone. According to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the HIV home test is only as good as antibody test that is done in a doctor’s office or health department, and they also use similar Western Blot/ELISA/IFA methods of testing. However, all these HIV test kits to be used at home are not the same. There are several companies that have been selling some unapproved tests, having no accuracy. Like any other antibody test that is usually done for testing HIV, these home tests also subject a person to 6 months waiting period before they can give the accurate result. In most of the cases it has been found that the FDA-approved HIV home test kits are 99 percent accurate beyond the 6 months period after the possible virus exposure.

There are some pros and cons of HIV home test that have been identified by experts.

Pros
HIV test, when done at home, gives you a peace of mind that your ...
... reports will not be divulged. People who are afraid of being seen in clinics for HIV test feel more comfortable when it is done alone.

These test kits are readily available for purchase at some of the leading stores. You can even order them over the phone or via internet. The internet offers a lot of options to test HIV accurately. However, you should beware of the unapproved test kits that are sold at relatively cheaper rates.

Cons
HIV home test is an expensive method; it is definitely more expensive than clinical test. Testing through any local health care center or a private agency will be either free or less expensive. A home test kit can cost you up to USD50.

Home test does not help in protecting your confidentiality; it rather divulges everything. As you the buy the kit from a local store, everyone will come to know that you would be taking the test. However, you may choose to buy the kit from online sources.

But, ordering online also does not help in protecting your confidentially or privacy, as you have to give all you details, name, address, telephone numbers and credit card statement has to be given for purchasing online.

Once you have taken the test, you must dispose it very carefully. You have to ensure that it goes directly into the garbage bin and not elsewhere.

Home kits come with a test ID card, having a specific specimen number. Anyone who gets that number will be able to know the result of the test over phone. The person who is to be tested has to ensure that the card is well protected or hidden.

If a patient is diagnosed positive after home test, he cannot do his partner notification. It can only be done through any local health agency or department. Home testing will bypass this vital concern.

The choice of HIV home test over HIV test done at clinics depends entirely on the patient. The pros and cons should be considered before deciding.

Looking for a HIV test. Click on the link to get details on HIV home test!