My HIV test is negative (-). Why do I need to retest?
You need to retest in case you are in the "window period", the time between exposure to HIV and the presence of detectable antibody to HIV in the blood. This can take from 2 to 12 weeks for the majority of people, and occasionally, as long as 6 months.
What is a false positive HIV test?
Occasionally, a person will get a positive (+) blood test to a disease which he or she does not have. Science has a name for this--"biological false positive". This is why it is so important that a positive (+) HIV test be followed by more HIV tests by a doctor to confirm whether the person is infected or not.
How does HIV SELF TEST KITS work?
You stick your finger with the one-time use lancet and allow one drop of blood to fall into the sample well. Then 2 drops of a developer solution are added. Over the next few minutes, your blood migrates up into the test area. If your blood contains the antibody to HIV (present only if you have been exposed to and infected by HIV), it will attach at an area marked "T" for "test". A pink line appears to show that this has occurred. If there is no pink line next to "T", then there is no HIV detected in the blood at that time.
How accurate is HIV SELF TEST KITS?
The overall accuracy is 99%.
What is the significance of the pink line next to the "C"?
"C" stands for "Control". The purpose of the control line is to let you know that you have a functional test and that you have performed the steps correctly. If there is no pink line next to "C", then the test is invalid and should be repeated using another HIV SELF TEST KITS test device.
What do I do with the "Invalid" test?
You may mail the invalid test back to us for replacement or refund.
May I use any parts of the HIV SELF TEST KITS more than once?
The lancet is for one-time use only. It has an instantly retracted point to insure no accidental sticks to others.
The test device is for one-time use only.
The developer solution is good for two years at room temperature and may be used for future tests.
How long may I store the components at room temperature?
Test device, inside its sealed foil packet - until the expiration date printed
on the packet. Expired, unused test devices will be replaced free of
charge.
Developer solution - 2 years
Blood sampling device - 3 years
Where can I get information on prevention, treatment and counseling for HIV/AIDS?
www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm
www.utopia-asia.com/aids.htm
www.acon.org.au
www.lila.it
www.naco.nic.in
www.wwaf.org
www.avert.org
www.hivaidssearch.com
www.test-hiv-yourself.com
