Understanding Rapid HIV Test Results: A Comprehensive Guide

A rapid antibody HIV test, also called a point-of-care HIV test, can produce results in as little as 20 minutes. These tests are usually used as part of multi-test programs or in tandem with an exhaustive assessment of the patient's risk factors. They help to determine whether or not a person has been infected with the HIV virus.

Things You'll Need

• Point-of-care HIV test with instructions

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Instructions

Use a Rapid HIV Test

• 1

  Familiarize yourself with the different types of rapid HIV tests that are available in pharmacies, sexual-health centers and online. They use a variety of HIV detection methods, including the western blot and ELISA techniques. Some require blood, plasma or urine samples while others draw from tissues in your mouth and cheeks.

• 2

  Read the instructions on your rapid HIV test very closely. If you have questions, contact a staff member at the location where you purchased the kit or call the manufacturer.

• 3

  Draw a sample as required by the particular test you're using. Take great care to handle the sample exactly as directed. Otherwise, you might compromise the accuracy of your results.

• 4

  Use a reputable type of rapid HIV test. There have been problems with fraudulent tests being shipped to customers by mail. OraQuick and Orasure are two well-known brands. The Food and Drug Administration has also approved a blood-sample test, called the Home Access Express HIV-1 Test, for use by patients.

• 5

  Use the indicator device included with the test to read the results. Some tests will generate results by combining your samples with a mixing solution that changes color to indicate a negative or positive result. Others use gels or plates to apply a laboratory-developed detection method.

• 6

  Consider retesting to be on the safe side. While accuracy is improving, rapid HIV tests still regularly read negative on people who are actually positive for the HIV virus.

• 7

  Combine a point of care or rapid antibody HIV test with a visit to your health-care professional or local sexual-health clinic, especially if you have engaged in risky behavior, but found a negative result. More accurate test methods are available in clinical settings.