One study found that most rapid antibody testing is similarly effective compared with standard testing, but rapid antibody tests that use oral fluid samples for testing have a much lower chance of detecting HIV.
If a POC test comes back negative, it could be the result of the fact that the patient is in their window period. They may be asked to take another test to confirm at the end of the window period.
If the test is positive, the patient is also asked to take a confirmatory test, which is done through blood sampling and analysis at a lab. Results usually take one to two weeks to come back. Researchers found that at-home tests may empower people to manage their HIV risk and help them overcome the stigma of HIV.
At-home testing is becoming more popular with the introduction of at-home lyme disease tests and at-home sexually transmitted infection STI tests. The CDC has found that the accuracy of rapid at-home test is low due to operator's lack of experience and mistakes. Take-home tests can be dangerous for those who are HIV-positive and looking to reconfirm their status. If their test results come back as a false-negative, they may stop taking antiretroviral therapy.
The World Health Organization has stated that people who are taking antiretroviral therapy should not take an rapid self-test. Those who take a test at home don't have an immediate and trusted resource, like a healthcare professional, to offer assistance during the testing process. Rapid POC testing gives patients resources and information they need while they wait for their test results, giving them a chance to learn more about HIV infection and risk reduction.
Going into a clinic or healthcare provider's office allows the patient to ask medical professionals who have accurate information on HIV questions and learn more about their status. POC tests, which are conducted by a healthcare professional, are more accurate and less likely to leave room for errors as rapid self-tests may. If your results come back as non-reactive, you are HIV-negative. That means you do not have the virus, or it could mean you were tested during your window period, or you had a false negative, especially given the relatively low sensitivity of a home test.
Even if you were tested negative, that doesn't mean that your partner is also HIV-negative. Encourage everyone you've been intimate with to take a test. Approximately 1. If you think you've been exposed to HIV during the window period and your test was therefore inaccurate, you can get a laboratory test called the nucleic acid test NAT , which requires a blood sample to be taken from a vein in the arm.
The test has a smaller window period than an HIV antigen test 10 to 33 days , and can tell if a person has HIV or how much virus is present in the blood. If your results come back reactive, that means the result is a possible positive. You will be required to take another test to confirm your diagnosis. The lab will use an NAT to confirm your results. If both of your tests are positive, then you are HIV-positive. Knowing that you have HIV can be emotionally and mentally taxing.
Remember that while HIV is not curable, it can be managed with treatments like antiretroviral therapy. The FDA had approved 43 different antiretroviral drugs by , with new treatments being manufactured every day. Rapid self-tests and point-of-care testing may cut down the amount of time it takes to find out if you have HIV, but the process can still be stressful and scary.
One way or another, finding out quickly can give you peace of mind because you will know whether you have been exposed to the virus. It's important to remember that even if you do test positive or negative for HIV through one of these tests, you will still need to confirm that result with another test.
Whether you test positive or negative, you should take actions that will reduce your risk of HIV infection or transmission to others. If you do test positive, an HIV diagnosis may be life-changing, but there are treatments available to help manage the virus so you can continue living your life.
Joining a support group or seeking help from a mental health professional may help you better cope with this diagnosis. Seek out a counselor or therapist to offer support and answer questions you may have. If you need immediate help, call the hour toll free HIV hotline to find a counselor in your state. Visit HIV. Get information on prevention, symptoms, and treatment to better ensure a long and healthy life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV Testing. Last updated June 9, Types of HIV Tests.
Last updated Oct. Department of Veterans Affairs. What do test results mean? Sex Transm Dis. Last updated Nov. Food and Drug Administration. Diagnostic dilemmas in human immunodeficiency virus testing.
Asian J Transfus Sci. Get tailored information about your risk and learn how to protect yourself. Top of Page. More HIV Topics. Follow HIV. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. The result is provided within fifteen minutes after performing the test.
There is currently only one HIV self-test approved for sale in Australia. It is important to only use devices approved for sale, so that you can be sure the result is accurate and that the device is safe to use. You can find details for a range of clinics where you can get tested, including public sexual health clinics, on the Drama Downunder , Ending HIV and Time to Test websites. Although these websites are targeted to gay men and other men who have sex with men, most testing services listed on these websites see all people.
Sexual health clinics provide free and confidential testing services. If you feel more comfortable being tested by a gay friendly doctor, your local AIDS Council can advise you on where to find one.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can find details of where to test on the Better to Know website.
The process of becoming HIV positive is referred to as seroconversion.
0コメント