Diagnosing HIV Infection - Home Testing for HIV Infection


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Diagnosing HIV Infection

Home Testing for HIV Infection

Home sample collection kits for HIV testing are approved by the FDA for direct marketing to consumers in the United States (Home Access HIV-1 Test System, Home Access Health Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL). The kit provides materials necessary to perform a finger stick in order to obtain a dried blood spot, which is then mailed directly to a central laboratory for analysis.

The specimen is identified by an code number, which preserves the anonymity of the user. Results and counseling are provided to the user by calling a toll-free telephone number. These kits only for home specimen collection, not for actual self-testing at home, which is not FDA-approved. Some internet sites advertise kits for true home testing, but those tests have been found to be unreliable, and the FDA has issued warnings against their use.

4/15/01