HIV Testing FAQ

Background - Patient Info - Health Provider Info

HIV Testing

FAQ and ANSWERS:

1. How many people have HIV & AIDS?

United States: The CDC estimates that in 1999 between 800,000 and 900,000 people were living with HIV or AIDS. Through December 2000, a total of 774,467 cases of AIDS had been reported to the CDC.

Worldwide: Based on estimates from the United Nations AIDS program (UNAIDS), approximately 60 million people have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the global epidemic. At the end of 2001, an estimated 40 million people were living with HIV infection or AIDS.

UNAIDS estimates 5.0 million new HIV infections occurred in 2001. This represents about 14,000 new cases per day. An estimated 3.0 million adults and children died of HIV/AIDS in 2001.

2. Are the approved HIV test systems really confidential?

The approved HIV home test system is strictly anonymous. The test can be purchased anonymously at pharmacies, or by mail order from the manufacturers. The mail-in system uses a confidential code number that is unrelated to the identity of the buyer or user. Some states require that new cases of HIV infection be reported to the health department, but only the number of cases detected with home test systems will be reported. The identity of the user will still remain anonymous.

3. What is an HIV antibody test?

The human body makes antibodies to fight all kinds of infection. If you become infected with HIV, your body creates HIV antibodies. The Home Access HIV testÒ detects your blood for HIV antibodies, similar to what is done at the doctor’s offices and clinics.

4. How soon do these antibodies show up in the body?

In people who are infected with HIV, the antibodies will show up in the blood within 6 weeks to 3 months. However, in some people, it might take up to 6 months. This is important because the test cannot detect recent infections. For example, if you became infected in January, you may not test positive until June.

5. Can I test negative and still be infected?

Yes, you may still be infected because it takes some time for your body to produce HIV antibodies. Similar to the question that was answered above, there is a period of time when recent infections may not be detected.

6. What does it mean to have a positive result?

The positive result indicates that HIV-1 antibodies were detected by the laboratory analysis in the individual’s blood sample that was submitted. The infected individual is capable of passing the virus to someone else. The individual must immediately seek a physician for medical advice and treatment.

7. Can I get a copy of my test results in writing?

Yes, you must first obtain your results over the phone. Then send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request noting your code number to:

Mail Back Results
Home Access Health
2401 W. Hassell Road
Suite 1510
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

You may also request for the results via email. Send an email to hivresult@homeaccess.com and include your code number. A Portable Document Format (PDF) attachment with your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and your results will be sent to you. The attachment is not in encrypted form so be aware that anyone can access that information.

8. How accurate is the Home Access HIV-1 test?

The Home Access HIV-1 test is clinically proven to be greater than 99.9% accurate using the same tests run by doctors and hospitals, according to the data from phase III clinical trials published in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine (vol. 157, Feb. 10, 1997).

9. What are the ways to prevent or reduce exposure to HIV infection?

The best way to reduce exposure to HIV infection is to always use a latex condom correctly for all sexual intercourse. The ideal prevention is to stop using injectable drugs, but if people cannot quit they should use a sterile needle all the time and should not share with anyone.

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NOTE: California Residents - Business and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed physician acting on a patient's behalf. All orders for test kits within the state of California

NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible.

International Residents & Orders: Extra shipping charges may be added for international orders. Patients will be contacted by e-mail or telephone to approve charges.