Detect HIV - Be sure with a ersonal Homte Test Kit

F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions About HIV and HIV Testing

1 What is HIV?

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). If somebody has Aids, the natural defense system of the body gets weakened. As a consequence, simple infections like a cold or the flu, that normally would have no serious hazard for the health of a person, can now have dramatic or even deathly consequences.

2 What can cause an HIV infection?

When a person is infected with HIV, virus particles are present in their blood and in the case of infected men, it’s also in sperm. The HIV can be transmitted from one person to another when there is contact with contaminated blood or sperm any place where the virus can enter the body. This can be a small wound on the skin or in the mucous membrane. Most of the time these small wounds go unnoticed which is why you need testing.

3 What are the consequences of the HIV infection?

Most HIV infected people look and feel healthy. Without treatment they will develop Aids in time. The HIV has affected the bodies immune (natural defense) system to such an extent that it no longer can fight the effects of the virus. Simple infections like the flu can have severe and even fatal consequences.

4 Why test for the presence of HIV in the blood?

If you have been in contact with blood from wounds or needles, or when you have had unprotected sex, it offers questions of uncertainty. You might be exposed to sexual transmittable diseases (STD’s) like HIV. Although the chance of an infection is generally small, some risk are still present. The only way to find out whether you are still HIV negative (no HIV present in the blood) is to do an HIV test. Somebody who is infected with HIV will not notice it for the first few years. By doing an HIV test the HIV infection can be detected on time. Then doctors can determine the right moment to start medication. In most cases HIV can be prevented from developing into full blown Aids. And many HIV infected people have learned to live with HIV.

Besides the importance for you to discover an HIV infection in time, it is also important for other persons. Without knowing your own results you could infect other people by having unprotected sex. And these people can infect other people and so on. So the message is, this could have been prevented by simply taking an HIV test.

5 Why is early detection of HIV important?

Early detection is of great importance, you should do an HIV test if:

you have had unprotected sex with persons from which you are not 100% sure that they are HIV negative;
you want to have unprotected sex with your sexual partner;
you want to become pregnant;
you came in contact with blood of somebody else;
you have been injected, (yourself) or tattooed with an used needle;
you are worried that you might be infected with HIV.
you should just take the test and know for certain!.

6 How does the DETECT HIV Home Test work?

Our HIV test detects the presence of antibodies which the human body produces to fight an HIV infection. The test detects all variants (HIV-1 and HIV-2). After an infection, the body produces antibodies against HIV. As a consequence, the amount of these antibodies increases in blood. After a period of 3 months, the level of antibodies is at such a level that most HIV antibody tests will give a reliable result. This period is called the window period. If you have been at risk for less than 3 months when performing the test (e.g. having unprotected sex), you could have been infected with HIV but the test will not detect it.

Attention: in case of a needle accident, this window period may be longer. It is advised to take a window period of 6 months.

7 Accuracy

The Detect HIV Home Test is comparable to the tests which are performed in many professional diagnostic laboratories. If you have performed the test correctly and received a negative test result you should continue to take the test again every 6-12 months to insure safety. In case of a positive test result it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible as there is a chance that you may be infected with HIV. Detect HIV offers a great test, but we believe that a positive result always needs to be confirmed by a different test, preferably at certified lab. Remember, safety first!

8 How to interpret a negative test result

If you have tested negative, this means that no antibodies against HIV have been found in your blood at the moment of testing. Similar to a test at the laboratory, it is not necessary to do a confirmatory test. Potential risks of infection within the past 3 months should be taken into account, because there is a chance that your body has not produced a sufficient amount of antibodies. In such a case, the test might give a negative result.

Should you – for whatever reason – question your negative result, we advise to repeat a test after 3 months to take away your worries completely. In case of an accident with a potentially contact with an infected needle, a window period of 6 months is recommended.

9 How to interpret a positive test result

If you have tested positive, this means that the test has detected antibodies against HIV in your blood. However, there is a chance that the test gives a positive result while you are Not infected with HIV. Similar to a test at the laboratory, a positive test result always needs to be confirmed with a different test. In case of a positive test result we advise not to make hasty conclusion. However, it is very important to visit your doctor for a confirmation test. This test will eventually proof whether you are infected or not. In case you are infected with HIV, your doctor is able to help you with the correct medical care and psychological help. Take the positive test result to your doctor.

Change your lifestyle and habits to prevent spreading HIV to others, until you are certain about your HIV status.

10 Counseling

If you have physical complaints and/or a positive or inconclusive test result, we advise you to contact a doctor. There are a number of institutions that you may turn to with questions about HIV or AIDS, how to deal with a (potential) HIV infection and how this should affect your lifestyle. Addresses and telephone numbers can be found in generally available documentation, as telephone books or on the Internet. We recommend, though, to contact your doctor.

11 Some considerations before you perform the test

Discovering that you are HIV positive can have some radical changes in your life. Often it goes with a lot of uncertainties. If you are HIV positive it can affect possibilities for insurance and mortgage.

There are some countries that do not allow HIV positive people over their borders. It also might be difficult for the people around your to cope with the idea that you are HIV positive. We advice you to perform the test with somebody you trust. This person can help you when the test result is positive.

12 Usage and storage

Before use read the Instructions carefully. Find a quiet place to perform the test, preferably sitting at a table. The DETECT HIV Home Test is intended for in vitro use only. Keep out of reach of children.

The test should be stored between 2 and 30°C in the sealed pouch at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the DETECT HIV Home Test. Before performing the test make sure it is at room temperature (15-30°C). Do not use beyond the expiration date, which can be found on the sealed pouch. The risk of transmission of HIV can be reduced or prevented by taking certain precautions.

Repeated testing at 12 weeks and 6 months is very important and highly recommended. A positive (+) HIV test does not necessarily mean that the person tested has AIDS. A positive test absolutely must be followed by a more sensitive test for HIV, you should see your doctor for further evaluation.