Well, it looks like people will now be able to do an HIV test in the privacy of their own home now. Hip Hop Wired reports:
On Tuesday (July 3), the Federal Drug Administration approved home HIV tests, results of which will be determined in 20-40 minutes. Last week, the Center for Disease Control announced the release of free home testing kits
in 24 drug stores around the nation. The move is an attempt to remove
the stigma behind getting tested, by making the kit easily accessible .
Made by OraSure Technologies, the tests have long
been used by health care professionals, and include a cotton swab to be
inserted inside of a patient's mouth. However, to ensure accuracy, the
FDA encourages consumers to confirm positive results with additional
testing at a health care facility. "Knowing your status is an important factor in the effort to prevent the spread of HIV," said
director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Dr.
Karen Midthun. "The availability of a home-use HIV test kit provides
another option for individuals to get tested so that they can seek
medical care, if appropriate."
Taking a test at home may be convenient, but not necessarily the best
idea. According to the FDA one false negative is to be expected out of
every 5,000 tests taken.
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