So the OraQuick HIV Self Test is easy to use but what could affect my result?

So the OraQuick HIV Self Test is easy to use but what could affect my result?

How easy it to perform the test?

It’s super easy to do the OraQuick test – just a simple and pain free swab of your gums with your own result in just 20 minutes. Only 3 simple steps! Or as we like to say, ‘Swipe, Dip, Done!’     

Swipe:
All you have to do is swab both the left and right side of your upper and lower gums. Each gum only needs to be swabbed once.

Dip:
Put the swab end of your test (that you just swabbed your gum with) all the way into the tube of liquid until it touches the bottom and leave it there for 20 minutes.

Done:
After 20 minutes your test will be completed – all done, and you will be able to read your own simple to read result. Just make sure you DO NOT read your result after 40 minutes.

You don’t even have to worry about having to prick your finger as no blood is needed. It's as accurate as blood, but without the prick. No HIV Test is Easier!

So how accurate is my test?

This test, the only approved oral fluid HIV self-test, uses the very latest technology and it is extremely accurate and is proven to be extremely effective at diagnosing HIV with a proven accuracy of >99.7%. The OraQuick HIV Self Test has generated data from studies around the world evidencing that it has a proven clinical sensitivity (if a person has HIV how often the test will be correctly positive) of >99.9%, and a proven clinical specificity (if a person doesn’t have HIV how often will the test be correctly negative) of >99.8%.

How can an oral fluid test detect HIV when you can’t catch HIV from kissing?

The OraQuick HIV Self Test detects the antibodies to HIV, not the virus itself and that is why although you can’t catch HIV from kissing. There are less antibodies in oral fluid than in blood, but because the sample size is so much bigger, that is why it has comparable accuracy to blood. Yes, you really can now #KnowYourStatus from an oral fluid sample!

What could affect the test?

Obviously the sample comes from your mouth, so to make sure there are no contaminants in your oral fluid, it’s really important to make sure you:

DO NOT eat or drink for at least 15 minutes before you start the test or use mouth cleaning products 30 minutes before you start the test. This is because the presence of food, drink or mouth cleaning products in your mouth and in your saliva can alter your result.

What about reading my result?

After 20 minutes your test will be completed, and you will be able to read your result. As we've talked about in other blogs, the OraQuick HIV Self Test has a sample control line, which means it will only appear if you have collected enough oral fluid and performed your test correctly. Without this sample control line, you cannot be confident in your result.  

Make sure you DO NOT read the result after 40 minutes. This is because your result will may not be accurate after this time.

What could cause false positives?

Although very rare, there are only a few things that could cause a false positive result, the most common causes are:

  • Prior participation in an HIV vaccination research study (no effective HIV vaccine currently exists)
  • Pregnancy
  • Receipt of immune globulin
  • Swiping your gums multiple times when performing your test

If you think any of these might apply to you, please see a healthcare professional for advice and further testing.

The most important thing to remember is that HIV is a treatable condition, but only if you #KnowYourStatus. You are always better to know and now it is easier than ever.  

And remember: HIV is just three letters – it’s not a sentence. 

HIV Self Test Kit - Buy Now

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