As per the World Health Organization (WHO), in the year 2022, nearly 3.8 million people living in the United States have a positive HIV status. Among these, many are unaware of their condition merely because they do not feel comfortable taking an HIV test in a healthcare facility. Intending to increase the access of such individuals to HIV testing, the FDA has approved the OraQuick HIV in-home test. It is a non-invasive, in-vitro testing method and only requires a sample of oral fluids. Let us learn more about the OraQuick HIV self-test along with its method of use.
OraQuick HIV In-Home Test-Simple, Quick, and Reliable
OraQuick HIV in-home test is a rapid, self-administered, over-the-counter HIV testing method that is easy to conduct and get results from without visiting an HIV testing facility. The test is based on an oral swab so no blood sample is needed.
How Does the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Work?
Human immunodeficiency virus, abbreviated as HIV, is the microbe that is responsible for causing an HIV-positive status as well as AIDS. When HIV enters the human body, the body starts producing antibodies as an immune response. The OraQuick HIV in-home test works by detecting these HIV Type 1 and HIV Type 2 antibodies in the oral fluids.
What is in the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Kit?
The OraQuick HIV in-home test kits are a product of OraSure Technologies, Inc. Each kit is an assemblage of the following items:
● Single-use test stick for the collection of oral sample
● Test tube or vial filled with 1 ml of developer solution to insert the test stick after use
● Pre-test booklet for information about the OraQuick HIV in-home test (“HIV, Testing, and Me”)
● Directions about the testing method
● Post-test booklet for interpreting your results (“What do your results mean to you?”)
● Package insert
● Pencil
● Disposable bag
● Contact information for user support
● Durable plastic case to fit all the above-mentioned contents
Conducting the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test-A Step-by-Step Guide
To conduct the OraQuick HIV in-home test, the given steps should be followed:
● Eating and drinking should be discontinued 30 minutes before taking the test. The use of oral cleaning items such as mouthwash, toothpaste, dental floss, etc. should also be avoided.
● Meanwhile, go through the pre-test booklet and the directions manual which come along with the OraQuick HIV in-home test kit to get detailed information about the test.
● After 30 minutes, place the single-use test kit above your teeth and gently rub the upper and lower gums one time around.
● Once the sample has been collected, insert the test stick into the developer solution present in the test vial.
● Wait for 20 to 40 minutes or until the test strip starts showing pink line(s) against Mark ‘C’ and/or ‘T’.
Interpretation of Results
The interpretation of results while using the OraQuick HIV in-home test kit is as easy as its usage. The following table simplifies the process:
| Appearance of Lines | Mark ‘C’ | Mark ‘T’ | Result |
| ü | û | Negative | |
| ü | ü | Positive |
Negative Result
In case of a negative result with no exposure to the HIV risk events in the past three months, it is most likely that you do not have HIV. However, if one still feels the need, other HIV tests can be taken to confirm the negative result.
Positive Result
If you get a positive result from the OraQuick self-test, it is advised to visit a healthcare professional. Your doctor would ask you to take some follow-up tests to confirm your positive HIV status.
After confirmation, it is best to start treatment immediately. Along with your medications, getting accurate information about HIV from trusted sources is also essential.
Finally, remember to get proper counseling as getting emotional support can prevent the stress and depression often associated with the disease. In addition, it also makes you realize that HIV is not something that has happened to you only.
Pros
The OraQuick HIV in-home test kits have the following merits:
● With the use of the OraQuick HIV in-home test kit, people can check their HIV status from the comfort of their homes without having to worry about compromising their privacy.
● The sample required to conduct the test is oral fluid instead of blood. Therefore, no finger-pricking is needed.
● The test is easy to conduct and the results can be obtained within no time.
● The OraQuick HIV in-home test is reliable and gives accurate information about the HIV status of a person.
Cons
The OraQuick HIV in-home test kits have the following demerits:
● Despite its accuracy, the OraQuick HIV in-home test is a preliminary test and cannot single-handedly confirm or rule out the presence of HIV in a patient. Therefore, additional confirmatory tests should be taken after getting a prescription from a healthcare provider.
● The test has a tendency to give false negative and false positive results even when used accurately.
● If a person has been exposed to HIV recently i.e. in the past 3 months, the accuracy of the obtained results is less than 90 percent.
Contraindications
The OraQuick HIV in-home test is not for everyone. There are certain conditions in which the test might not work for you. Some of these have been given below:
● Individuals who are HIV positive and receiving treatment for their condition cannot benefit from the OraQuick HIV in-home test.
● In the United States, the test kit is meant for those who are 12 years or older. However, if a healthcare professional finds it suitable to use the OraQuick HIV self-test kit on children as young as 2 years old, then it can be done in some regions.
● If a person is volunteering in an HIV vaccine clinical trial, taking the OraQuick HIV in-home test can give a false positive result. Therefore, its use is not recommended.
Caution
Do not use an OraQuick HIV in-home test kit if:
● The test kit has been tampered with.
● Some of the contents of the test kit are missing.
● The expiration date has passed.
● The kit has been exposed to household cleaning items.
Pricing Guide
A single OraQuick HIV in-home test kit costs around $39. However, Health Supply 770 is offering a pack of 6 OraQuick HIV in-home test kits for only $207.50.
FAQs
1. How Many OraQuick Tests Should I Take?
For the confirmation of the presence or absence of HIV, a single OraQuick HIV in-home test is enough. If necessary, other confirmatory tests can be conducted as per the recommendation of a healthcare provider.
2. What is the Window Period for OraQuick HIV Self-Test?
When a virus enters our body, it takes some time to increase its number before attacking our system. In other words, we do not become sick as soon as a microbe comes. Rather, a window period is needed by the microbe. This window period refers to the time frame between the entry of HIV into a person’s body and obtaining a positive result from an HIV test. For OraQuick HIV in-home HIV test, this window period is 3 months.
3. How Quickly Can I Get My Results From OraQuick HIV In-Home Test?
The OraQuick HIV in-home test kit is known to give rapid results. After inserting the swab with an oral sample into the solution given in the kit, the results can usually be obtained within 20 minutes. However, one might have to wait for up to 40 minutes in some cases to get the results.
4. How Accurate is the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test?
If the above-mentioned usage method is followed properly, the OraQuick HIV in-home test kit can give a negative result with 99.9 percent accuracy. When it comes to positive results, the testing kit is up to 92 percent accurate.
5. How Sensitive is the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test?
After conducting several clinical studies, it is safe to say that the OraQuick HIV in-home test has a sensitivity of approximately 92 percent.
6. From Where Can I Buy an OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Kit?
As the OraQuick HIV in-home test kit is a non-prescription item, it can be purchased online from Health Supply 770 or a nearby drugstore. You can also get one either at a reduced price or for free from a local healthcare organization.
7. Is Counseling Offered with the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test?
The OraQuick test kit comes with 3 booklets that cover the guidelines regarding the testing method and result interpretation. For further help, a 24-hour telephone line run by the manufacturer is also available to provide support. You can also get a referral to a local healthcare provider.
8. Can the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Detect STDs?
No, the test does not detect the presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, etc.
Get Self-Checked With the OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Kit 1001-0340 (6 Tests/Box)
OraQuick HIV In-Home Test Kit 1001-0340 is a non-invasive HIV testing product. It comes in a box of 6 and thus is highly cost-effective. In addition to the above-mentioned features, the product is also safe to dispose of after use.
The OraQuick HIV in-home test kit mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to place your order.
The Bottom Line
Considering the towering number of HIV cases that are coming to light every year, it has become essential to introduce home-based self-testing options. These in-home tests not only make the testing easy and inexpensive but also provide the opportunity for individuals to do so with complete privacy.
In this regard, the over-the-counter OraQuick HIV in-home test is so far the only FDA-approved option available in the United States. The process of using the kit is understandable by all. The kit also provides complete user guides along with a helpline number which makes it even easier to employ the product when the need be.
For purchasing the OraQuick HIV in-home test kits as well as other medical devices, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be chosen as they not only ensure the provision of quality products but also guarantee satisfactory services.
Click to Order from Health Supply 770
References
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
