How to Read Rapid HIV Test Results

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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Point-of-care HIV test with 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.

Tips & Warnings

• The accuracy of many rapid HIV tests is the subject of considerable debate amongst health professionals. It can take the body several months to generate enough antibodies to be found by most commercially available rapid HIV tests. If a test is conducted before there are enough antibodies present, the results may be inaccurate.

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