http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/10/2012101171518191824.html




The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first over-the-counter HIV test that can be taken at home.

The test, announced Wednesday, would allow people to check themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in saliva collected using a mouth swab.

Ervin "Magic" Johnson, the former NBA Most Valuable Player and HIV/AIDS advocate, called OraQuick a huge milestone in the fight against HIV.

"In the HIV and AIDS fight we needed an in-home kit. Because the stigma behind going to the doctor or to a HIV and AIDS clinic to get a shot, for some people - probably millions of people, they just didn't want to do it," said Johnson.

Johnson, a paid spokesperson for the company, said that in the 21 years since he first announced that he was HIV positive, one of the biggest hurdles in the fight against HIV/AIDS has been getting people tested.

"Now we are going to take that fear of going to a clinic or a doctor away from them," he added.

The test is designed to return a result within 20 to 40 minutes.

Home privacy

Government officials estimate one-fifth, or about 240,000 people, of the 1.2 million HIV carriers in the US, are not aware that they are infected.

Testing is one of the key means of slowing new infections, which have held steady at about 50,000 per year for two decades.

The US capital, however, still has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world - 3.2 per cent - higher than Rwanda, Kenya or Ethiopia.

The problem is worst in Anacostia. The mostly black neighbourhood is beset by low education and high unemployment.

FDA officials said the test is aimed at people who might not otherwise get tested.

Johnson said the test will especially help communities where there is a stigma in getting tested.

"In our black and brown community there has always been excuses in why people won't go to the doctor to get tested. Now we are taking all that away from them," said Johnson.

"You can do it in your own home, you don't have to worry about it," he added.

Not foolproof

The FDA stressed in its approval announcement that the test is not 100 per cent accurate.

A trial showed the home test correctly detected HIV in those carrying the virus only 92 per cent of the time.

That means the test could miss one person for every 12 HIV-infected people who use the kit.

The test was accurate 99 per cent in ruling out HIV in patients not carrying the virus.

The test would incorrectly identify one patient as having HIV for every 5,000 HIV-negative people tested.

ok

JONES: please i wanna kno my HIV status

ATTENDANT: Give me some seconds............ Sorry Mr Jones, you are positive. Next person please!!!!

America! The sexy country.

Take home pregnancy Test: positive,ABORT IT.
Take home HIV/AIDS test: positive...oh well

now you wont have to wait for hrs or days before getting an accurate result....cool

we don hear

Aizebioje: Take home pregnancy Test: positive,ABORT IT.
Take home HIV/AIDS test: positive...oh well

Hehehehehe! Do gbu gi!

This is better and it would reduce the stigma of even taking the test at HIV testing centers.. If one does the test privately and is positive i think it would be more manageable approaching a doctor for private treatment. So, i am also saying they should encourage private treatment at homes. Well done Johnson..

Viewing this topic: Ukavwe, skealoo, tuhott(f), nicky4lif, babamu123(m), stepone(m), imperiouxx, kagel, PBundles(m), papiwater, silami(m), rollystone(m), samguru, nnpc_hopeful, tamilorefe, idris4r83(m), abosede629(f), AMINSCO(m), kodeblurr, Owaziogwu-1, Fvicnoedge, camary(m), 2Mekus, VEE2010, kpofkpof(f), gbokukueba and 38 guest(s)............................GEJ,please make out jobs for these once,through christ our Lord Ameeeeeeeeeeeeen!

Castos: America! The sexy country.

Bros, Americans don't joke with sex. They like it so much. Na moi moi for that place o..

Gooood!! Before we straff any babe she must open her mouth first! .

Richfella: Gooood!! Before we straff any babe she must open her mouth first! .

But then you must open your own mouth first and do the test...

>

y2kaustinstone_: Viewing this topic: Ukavwe, skealoo, tuhott(f), nicky4lif, babamu123(m), stepone(m), imperiouxx, kagel, PBundles(m), papiwater, silami(m), rollystone(m), samguru, nnpc_hopeful, tamilorefe, idris4r83(m), abosede629(f), AMINSCO(m), kodeblurr, Owaziogwu-1, Fvicnoedge, camary(m), 2Mekus, VEE2010, kpofkpof(f), gbokukueba and 38 guest(s)............................GEJ,please make out jobs for these once,through christ our Lord Ameeeeeeeeeeeeen!

Wait till the "chinese" versions are produced. . .

Welcome development afterall the blood test some times don't give accurate result.

This is not too good ! Smone can just discover he's positive and d sorrow prompt him to take his life. Counselling should go along with it till the cure is assured .

What happens to counselling? Ironically where stigmatization is high is where much couselling is required before a client is tested.
I am afraid the rate of depressive illness and even suicide may rise due to testing without counselling in the midst of stigma. May of those affected may actually be false results as testing by nervous clients may be inaccurate.

i-JAY:
JONES: please i wanna kno my HIV status

ATTENDANT: Give me some seconds............ Sorry Mr Jones, you are positive. Next person please!!!!

Lol

HQ: Wait till the "chinese" versions are produced. . .

Made for Nigeria Version

HIV SCAM. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY BIG SCAM THAN THIS. ALL THE TIME USA USA WITH DIFFERENT TALK ABOUT THE SO CALLED NOT EXISTENCE VIRUS. WHEN GAMBIA PRESIDENT SAY HE CAN CURE THE DISEASE NOBODY BELIEVE HIM COS THEY KNOW THEY WERE HOLDING THE WORLD FOR JOB .LOL

HIV IS NOT REAL
POVERTY KILLS FASTER THAN HIV.