| If you have worries about walking into a clinic that | | | | minutes or less. The FDA again wants to make the |
| might do HIV testing, because you are worried | | | | statement that there is only one FDA approved HIV |
| someone will see you, then worry no longer. Taking a | | | | home test kit approved for home testing. That Kit is |
| test at home is simple and easy. The test kit is | | | | again called "The Home Access Express HIV-1 Test |
| mailed to you in a non-descript package so no one | | | | System" or "The Home Access HIV-1 Test System". |
| will know that you are getting an HIV test kit. | | | | The FDA takes appropriate action against companies |
| Are they real? Are they accurate? Currently there is | | | | and persons making false claims on unapproved test |
| only one product approved by the FDA for home | | | | kits. |
| testing and that product is "The Home Access HIV-1 | | | | Rapid tests for HIV are approved by the FDA, and |
| Test System" or "The Home Access Express HIV-1 | | | | can confirm the presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in 20 |
| Test System". This is a home collection test system | | | | minutes. They are only available in professional health |
| that requires you to collect a specimen of your own | | | | care clinics, doctor's offices and outreach testing |
| blood, and mail into their testing laboratories. They do | | | | facilities. This is due to the need for confirmation and |
| NOT allow interpretation of the test in the home. | | | | interpretation of each individual test. |
| The FDA warns about tests that are marketed online | | | | For those afraid of needles, there are also test which |
| and in certain magazines, and warn against "False | | | | use urine and saliva for the testing medium, but |
| Positives". Claims by companies who manufacture | | | | again, are only available in approved testing facilities |
| unapproved test kits, say they can test for the HIV | | | | and not with in-home test kits. |
| virus in blood and saliva and determine results in 15 | | | | |