Yes. HIV self-tests are what they’re called. There are two types of them:
A Rapid Self-Test can be completed totally at home or in a private setting in about 20 minutes. A quick self-test kit can be purchased at a drugstore or online external icon. An oral fluid test is now the only quick self-test accessible in the United States.
A specimen collection kit is included with a Mail-In Self-Test, and it contains supplies for collecting dried blood from a fingerstick at home. A health care professional provides the results after the sample has been sent to a lab for testing. Mail-in self-tests are available from a variety of internet merchants. A mail-in self-test can also be ordered through your health care physician.
Check whether your local health department or other group offers a low-cost or no-cost fast self-test. Self-tests purchased directly from the manufacturer may not be covered by private health insurance or Medicaid. Go with your insurance company and healthcare provider to see whether you can get reimbursed for self-purchased tests.
Note that state rules on self-testing differ and may limit access. Additional testing possibilities should be discussed with your health care professional.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT when I utilize a fast HIV self-test (also known as a home test)?
Currently, only one FDA-approved quick self-test external icon is available (OraQuick). To perform this test, swab your gums to acquire an oral fluid sample and analyze it using the materials provided in the kit. Within 20 minutes, you will have a response. The test will not work if you do not follow the directions exactly as they are written. The HIV self-test comes with a phone number that anyone can contact to seek assistance with the test.
Always middle the rapid self-test according to the recommendations provided by the test manufacturer’s external symbol.
You can trust you don’t have HIV if the test is negative and you haven’t had any possible exposure in the past three months.
If your test result is positive, see your doctor for additional testing.
Some persons have trouble doing a rapid self-test, and the test does not function properly. The test has not served if a fast HIV self-test is invalid as specified in the instructions. In this situation, you’ll need to take another rapid self-test, mail in a self-test, or go to a health care practitioner or testing center for testing.
When I utilize a mail-in HIV self-test, what should I expect?
Online retailers offer a wide range of mail-in self-testing services. The instruments you’ll need to safely prick your finger and collect a very little amount of blood on a card are included in the package. After that, the sample is mailed to a laboratory for analysis. A health care provider will call you with the results after the testing is completed.
To obtain a decent sample, you should always carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
You can trust you don’t have HIV if the test is negative and you haven’t had any possible exposure in the past three months.
If your test result is positive, see your doctor for additional testing.
Self-tests purchased directly from the manufacturer (through the internet) may not be covered by private health insurance or Medicaid. Go with your insurance company and healthcare provider to see whether you can get reimbursed for self-purchased mail-in self-tests. Some mail-in self-test companies will bill your insurance on your behalf.
Note that state rules on self-testing differ and may limit access. Additional testing possibilities should be discussed with your health care professional.
