USA news: rapid home HIV tests approved

As reported in our blog on 18 May 2012 the FDA in the US has now approved an over the counter HIV test which can provide a result at home in 20 to 40 minutes.  The test uses saliva which does have a higher rate of false positives, but recommends that all positive tests are followed up with a blood test.

In the UK, HIV home tests where you get a result at home are illegal and unregulated, there are many available on the Internet but they have no CE or quality mark associated with them.  The UK Government is resisting calls from the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading sexual health charity, to make these tests legal on the basis that as they are available, so they should be legalised and regulated.

Better2Know can help you get your HIV status at any of its private STD clinics across the UK, with HIV test results available the same day your blood sample is received in the laboratory.  The tests are 99.8% accurate just 28 days post potential exposure, and 99.9% at three months, with repeat testing also recommended at six months.