Lab Testing for Home HIV Tests

Video Transcript

"Alright I've placed my blood sample into the sample return pouch which goes into the number ten cardboard envelope. The whole kit and caboodle goes right here into a prepaid FedEx envelope which is pre-addressed to the lab and just brief overview of what will happen at the lab is one of the technicians there will remove your blood sample and they'll introduce HIV antibodies on to the sample and what that means is that the chemical is designed to react with the HIV virus and produce an antibody which is then detected using a microscope. So if the agent is introduced to your blood and antibodies appear that's an indication of a positive test. That's whats going to determine whether or not you have HIV present in your blood. If the agent is introduced and no antibodies are formed the sample remains pretty much as it was before then your HIV negative and when you call for your results the counselor you speak to will go over these things with you and of course if ever have any doubts it isn't going to kill you or hurt you to be retested by a physician or a public health facility."