Everyone must test HIV infection once in their lifetime. This virus can cause AIDS, and it can affect the immune system badly. It is hard to detect a virus because, in many cases, there are no symptoms. It can happen due to unprotected sex with an infected person or using a shared needle to inject medicines.
The infection can happen to anyone without any idea. Therefore, it is crucial to go for the screening test. Examine whether your body is suffering from any virus infection. You can also find home testing kits to examine your body at home. But there is a concern about whether it is accurate or not.
You can buy this kit from any local pharmacy and test yourself. Visit stdtestingnow.com to examine the HIV in your body at home or lab. In the following write-up, we will discuss whether these kits show accurate results or not. You should also know the types of home kits available in the market.
Types of Home Tests
Home-based Access HIV Test Kit: There is a special paper in the kit to put a single drop of your blood by pricking it with your finger. After that, contact the lab and mail them the entire sample. Wait for at least a week to attain results.
These labs provide their numbers to contact them and know your outcomes. One can also ask for counseling if any issue comes in your report. OraQuick Home HIV Test Kit: This kit is relatively available in all the nearby pharmacies, and one can also buy it through online platforms.
It is easy to get quick results as it detects the presence of antibodies present in the saliva. Swab both the upper as well as lower gums by using a test stick. After that, insert that sample in the vial-filled fluid. Wait for some time to see the results. Within 20 to 40 minutes, you can see the results.
What About Result Accuracy While Using Home-based HIV Kits?
If we talk about the first method, it is a reliable way to detect the presence of HIV in the body. The test will show the presence of antibodies developing in your body to fight against the virus in the blood that is causing AIDS.
If the sample shows positive results, then you can confirm it through the lab by another test. If we talk about accuracy, then it is 99.9% accurate. On the other hand, another method of using the HIV home kit is comparatively less accurate. It can show antibodies with 92% accuracy results.
There is a possibility that it can miss the infected people. One can also get false results, and therefore, you cannot be sure about it. There are chances that the person may have AIDS, but he cannot detect it.
But if you attain positive outcomes in the second option, then it is better to confirm it. In the case of negative outcomes, you can try again later after three to six months because antibodies can take at least this much time to produce in your body.
Advantages of Using Home-based HIV Kits
There is no need to go anywhere if you can examine HIV by yourself at home. It is easy to treat the health issue if you know it early. Within a few minutes, one can get results, and it is better to wait for at least a week for the results.
If you have any doubt, you can buy the kit and examine yourself immediately without visiting any doctor or going to any lab. There is no need to schedule an appointment and wait for the doctor to see you.
In this way, infected people can prevent making sexual relationships with another person and save them from getting infected. You can stop the transmission of the virus to other people. When you detect early, you can get proper treatment, and it is easy for you to recover.
HIV Symptoms When You Need to Examine
If anyone is infected with HIV, then you can see some visible symptoms. It is better not to ignore them and go for the test. You can purchase the home-based kit if you observe symptoms, such as:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Rashes
- Neck swelling around the lymph nodes
- Muscle and joint pain
How Can HIV Spread from One Person to Other?
There are plenty of ways that this infection can spread from one person to another. Such as:
- Unprotected sex
- Organ recipient
- Transfusion of blood
- Injecting drugs with a shared needle
- Share blades or needles
What to Do If the Test Comes Negative?
If your test comes negative, then you should wait for at least three months. If you get exposed to HIV, your body will start producing antibodies, and you can detect them after three months. Till then, you should avoid unprotected sex and sharing razors or needles.
What to Do If the Test Comes Positive?
If your home test comes positive, then you need to confirm the results. You should visit a doctor or lab and share all your symptoms. Your doctor will suggest what you need to do. Your doctor can also start medications and advise you to maintain distance with your loved one.
If you detect the problem early, it will be easy to treat. You can also join a group where there are other people like you. With the help of your physician, you can live a healthy and happy life even after diagnosing the issue.
The Bottom Line
Home-based HIV test kits are useful for checking the production of antibodies in a body. There are two test types with different accuracy results. You must confirm your results from a professional lab or doctor if you get positive outcomes.
In case of negative results, wait for at least three months to test yourself again. Make sure that you detect the virus early to recover quickly. Whenever you see any of the mentioned symptoms, use the home testing kit to clear your doubts.