Home Test HIV Options: The Pros and Cons

In some locations, HIV testing is widely available and confidential. In much of the country, however, it's not so easy to test HIV, especially if your confidentiality is important to you. Home HIV tests offer an option for those people who can't or won't be tested in an office setting. The FDA has approved a specific kit for home HIV testing. The test requires the individual to take a small blood sample and return it to a lab for testing. The FDA-approved test is 99% accurate, however, some companies are selling HIV home test kits that are not approved by the FDA. If you decide to use a home testing kit for HIV, be sure that the kit you buy is one of the types approved by the FDA. Even if you are using the FDA-approved home test HIV kit, there are many pros and cons to testing HIV at home.

Pros to Test HIV at Home

A home HIV test is a good solution for a person who's afraid to be seen in a clinic. With a home test for HIV, that person can take his own blood sample and send it off to be tested confidentially.

Since you can buy the HIV home test kits online or over the phone, they're a good option for those who can't get to a store where they're sold, or to someone who is homebound or lives far from a clinic.

Home test kits for IV can be more confidential than in-person testing in many cases. For the person who lives in a small town or who is afraid that others will find out about their suspected HIV status, a home HIV test can be more private.

Cons for HIV Home Tests

Home HIV tests are more expensive than testing at the local health department or through some private agencies. Many local health departments offer free HIV testing or do HIV tests on a sliding fee scale. Home test HIV kits can cost considerably more, but the expense may be worth it for those who can't get to or aren't comfortable going to a local clinic or testing facility.

While ordering an HIV test online may seem more confidential, you should be aware of possible places where your confidentiality could be compromised. For example, if you pay for your test with a credit card, the charge will appear on your credit card statement. Others who see your credit card statement may know that you've ordered the test. However, most companies who sell home test HIV kits understand the need for confidentiality and will have an innocuous sounding name for their company.

Another confidentiality trap if you use a home HIV test is your garbage. If confidentiality is important to you, be sure that you dispose of the wrappings and test materials safely and privately.

Finally, like in-person HIV testing, home test HIV kits must be repeated between 12 weeks and six months after the original test to ensure that the test results are final and accurate.

Home HIV tests may not be a complete solution for the person who fears he or she has been exposed to HIV, but they are a better option than no testing at all. Once you have results from a home test HIV kit, you can take any necessary steps for treatment.

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+Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Fri May 13 2011) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com