At-home HIV test

start-up-idea-test-tube-dummyA home test kit for HIV is soon to go on sale in the United States after winning approval earlier this month from government regulators.

 

People take a swab of saliva using OraQuick and get a result in less than 40 minutes.

 

The US Food and Drug Administration hopes the over-the-counter test will reach people who might not otherwise get tested.

 

The test is expected to be sold in as many as 30,000 pharmacies and homeware shops, as well as online.

 

Until now, testing has been done almost exclusively in medical settings, with HIV specialists and counsellors close at hand so people can receive support and immediate treatment if they need it.

 

It is hoped home testing will become available in developing countries, but the price will have to come down considerably if that is to happen. Why not look into it?

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