FAQ | Oral HIV Test Accuracy | HIV Self Test Kit

FAQs

What is the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test?

The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test is a private, and accurate way to test for HIV in your own home. It is the same test preferred by many healthcare professionals worldwide. The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test uses oral fluid to check for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. It can give you results in about 20 minutes, and if you follow the instructions carefully the test can detect the virus in over 99% percent of people who are infected with HIV. Because the test is a "screening" test, it is always advised to have a second test to confirm your results. The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test should only be used to test for HIV, and should not be used for other purposes. If you need to be tested for pregnancy or for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other infection, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider. He or she can help you get tested.

How does an HIV antibody test work?

An HIV antibody test detects the cells that the body's immune (defense) system creates in response to HIV infection. When HIV enters the body, the body starts to produce antibodies. In the case of HIV, the antibodies can't fight off the infection. But, their presence can be used to tell whether a person has HIV in his or her body. Most HIV tests detect the presence of HIV antibodies, not the virus itself.

How can the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test use oral fluid for HIV testing, when HIV can't be transmitted through saliva?

It has determined, and multiple supporting studies confirm, that HIV transmission (spread) does not occur through saliva. The OraQuick® test detects antibodies produced in response to HIV infection, not the virus itself.

How accurate is HIV testing using oral fluid?

Oral fluid HIV tests are very accurate. In studies, the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test detected 100 percent of people who were infected with HIV and 99.1 percent of people who were not infected with HIV. If you have more questions about oral fluid HIV tests, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. He or she can help you figure out the best test for you.

What are the advantages of rapid tests for HIV using oral fluids?

Rapid HIV tests that use oral fluid are safe and accurate, and they provide quick results. They're a good option for people who don't like to have blood drawn or their fingers pricked. The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test also provides benefits such as convenience and privacy. Rapid HIV tests that use oral fluid are safer for healthcare workers. The risk of exposure to infectious diseases is much lower from oral fluid than from blood. Contact with saliva has never been proven to result in the transmission (spread) of HIV.

How soon should I get tested if I think I have been exposed to HIV?

The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test can give you accurate results 3 months from exposure. Most people will develop antibodies to HIV within this period of time. If you test within 3 months of possible exposure and the result is negative, you may want to repeat the test at least 3 months after the possible exposure. Ninety-seven (97) percent of people develop antibodies within the first 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months. If there is a need to test sooner, please contact a healthcare professional in your area.

What could cause false positives on an HIV test?

A false positive is when an HIV test shows that a person has HIV when they don't actually have it Conditions that can lead to a false positive HIV test are: Incorrectly reading the test as positive Not following the instructions for use carefully Not waiting 15 minutes after eating, drinking, or 30 minutes after using oral care products before taking the test Having participated in a HIV vaccine clinical trial Swiping each gum several times during oral collection A positive HIV antibody test is always followed by a second test with your healthcare provider to confirm the presence or absence of HIV infection.

Can I use the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test on my child?

The OraQuick® HIV Self-Test is intended for use by individuals' ages 18 and older. It is not for use in children under 18 years of age. If your child is younger than 18 years of age, and you are concerned that your child has HIV, talk with your child's doctor. He or she can help determine if your child is infected.

I'm pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Can I use the test?

It is safe to use the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test if you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding

I wear braces. Can I still use the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test?

It is safe to use the OraQuick® HIV Self-Test if you wear braces or a retainer.

If I wear dentures to cover my gums, can I still take the test?

If you have dentures that cover your gums, there are steps you should take prior to testing. You should: Remove the dentures. Wash any remaining paste off of the gums. Wait 30 minutes. Perform the test according to the instructions.

Will antibiotics (or other non-HIV-related medications) influence my test result?

To date, there is no evidence that the use of antibiotics or medication (other than antiretrovirals) may affect the test results. Please proceed with performing the test as instructed.

I'm preparing to take the test and don’t know how to swab my gums correctly?

When you take the OraQuick® test, you must swab both the left and right side of your upper gums and the left and right side of your lower gums. Each gum must be swabbed only once. You must follow the test directions carefully to get an accurate result. If you are not sure you swabbed your gums correctly, check for a line next to the letter "C" on the test stick. If a line appears next to the letter "C" on the test stick, you will know your test is working and your results will be accurate. This will occur if you have followed the instructions carefully and you have waited at least 20 minutes after placing the test stick in the test tube. If you do not see a line next to the letter "C," the test is not working properly and you will need to get a new test.

I opened my test and there is no fluid in the tube. What should I do?

If there was no fluid in the test tube when you opened the kit, the kit is defective. We apologize for this inconvenience. Please discard the test kit. Please begin the OraQuick® testing procedure with a new test kit and carefully follow all the handling and testing instructions. Please read the instructions before you begin the test and be sure that you understand how to take your sample, place it in the vial for no less than 20 minutes and no more than 40 minutes before you read the test.

What should I do if I (or my child, friend, or partner) accidentally drank the testing fluid from the test tube?

The ingredients in the test fluid are not toxic and pose no known health risk in the amount provided in the vial. If you or someone you know has swallowed some of the liquid and you are concerned, please contact your doctor. If you were unable to complete the test, please obtain a new test kit.

What should I do if I got fluid from the test tube in my eye?

The ingredients in the test fluid are not toxic. If you got fluid from the test tube in your eye, flush your eye with water immediately.

There is a small pouch of absorbent material inside the package that contains the test stick. Should I do anything with it?

The small pouch inside the test stick package is designed to prevent moisture from affecting the test stick during storage. It is not to be used when performing the OraQuick® test, and you may discard it in the regular waste.

I mistakenly/accidentally removed the test stick (or it fell out) from the vial early (before 20 minutes). Will my results be valid?

If you removed the test stick, or it fell out, at any point after you placed it in the test tube, the result of the test is not valid even if you immediately replaced the test stick. The test stick must remain in the test tube for at least 20 minutes as shown in the instructions. Therefore, do not consider your result an accurate indication of your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary. Please repeat the OraQuick® testing procedure with a new test kit and carefully follow all the handling and testing instructions, including the diagrams, that are included in your testing material.

I left the test stick in the vial for longer than 40 minutes. Will the results be accurate?

If you read the test more than 40 minutes after the test stick was placed in the vial, the result of the test is not valid. Do not consider the result an indication of your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary. Please repeat the OraQuick® testing procedure with a new test kit and carefully follow all the handling and testing instructions. Please read the instructions before you begin the test and be sure that you understand how to take your sample, place the test stick in the test tube for no less than 20 minutes and no more than 40 minutes before you read the test.

What should I do with the materials after taking the test?

You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary.

What do the letters "C" and "T" mean on the test stick menu?

The letter "C" on the test stick stands for "control." A line should appear next to the letter "C" if you have followed the instructions carefully and have waited 20 minutes after placing your test stick in the test tube. This line means that your test is working. If NO line appears next to the letter "C," it means your test is not working and you will need to get a new test. The letter "T" on the test stick stands for "test." A line next to the letter "T," even if the line is faint, and a line next to the letter "C", means that you have a positive test result and you may have HIV. You will need a second test to confirm your test result. A "T' line, even if the line is faint, and no "C" line means the test is not working and you will need to get a new test. If you have a positive result, you will need a second test to confirm your test result. Please visit your doctor or local clinic to obtain a follow-up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic or healthcare professional must confirm your OraQuick® HIV Self-Test result.

When I read my test result, there were no markings or colourings on the test stick at all. What does this mean?

If the test stick did not have any lines on it when you read your test result, then your test did not work. Therefore, do not consider the result you got as a valid indication of your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary. Please repeat the OraQuick® testing procedure with a new test kit and carefully follow all the handling and testing instructions. Please read the instructions before you begin the test and be sure that you understand how to take your sample, place it in the vial for no less than 20 minutes and no more than 40 minutes before you read the test.

My test does not have a line at "C" but has a line at "T". What does this mean?

If your test has a line next to the letter "T," but no line next to the letter "C," this means that your test did not work. In order for a test to work, a line MUST appear by the area marked "C." Therefore, do not consider the result you got as a valid indication of your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary.

My test has a line at the "C" and a very faint line at the "T". What does this mean?

Any line next to the letter "T" on the test stick, regardless of color or shade, means you have a positive test result. You will need a second test to confirm your test result. Please see your physician or a healthcare provider to obtain a follow up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic or healthcare professional must confirm your OraQuick® HIV Self-Test result. Until your test result is confirmed, please take precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. In particular, you should avoid all sexual activities until you know your HIV status.

My test has a line at the "C" and a very dark red line at the "T". Why is this line so dark? What does it mean?

If your test result shows a line next to the letter "C" and any line next to the letter "T," you have a positive test result. This result indicates that there is a possibility that you could be infected with HIV. However, the intensity of the lines on the test stick does not correlate with the stage of the HIV disease or infection potential. So, a darker line next to the letter "T" does not mean that you are more positive. You will need a second test to confirm your test result. Your oral fluid results need to be confirmed by your healthcare provider. Please see your physician or a healthcare provider to obtain a follow-up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic, or healthcare professional must confirm your OraQuick® HIV Self-Test result. Until your test result is confirmed, please take precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. In particular, you should avoid all sexual activities until you know your HIV status.

My test result was positive. Can someone get HIV by touching, licking, or other contacts with the saliva on the test stick, or the test tube/liquid?

Scientists and medical experts agree that HIV does not survive well outside the body. This means that the risk of environmental transmission (spread) is remote. Therefore, if someone came into direct contact with your test stick, there is extremely little risk of transmitting HIV to them. Contact with saliva has never been shown to result in the transmission of HIV. Because your test result is positive you will need a second test to confirm your HIV status. Please see your physician or a healthcare provider to obtain a follow-up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic, or healthcare professional must confirm your OraQuick® HIV Self-Test. Until your result is confirmed, be sure to take precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. In particular, you should avoid all sexual activities until you know your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary.

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