If you wear dentures, a retainer, or any other dental product that covers your gums, take it out before the test. Note that this test is not intended for people who are under 16 years of age, confirmed HIV positive, on HIV treatment, or taking part in an HIV clinical trial. [3] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source Take some time for yourself to breathe deeply and recite positive affirmations to quell any anxiety or fear you may have about taking the test.
Oral swab kits typically include a test stick, vial, directions, and 2 information booklets about HIV. If the seal is broken or if the kit is expired, call the customer support number on the box or, if possible, take it back to the pharmacy where you bought it.
If the kit doesn’t have a sliding drawer, look for the package containing the test tube (it may have the number “1” on it). The liquid in the tube blends with your saliva, allowing the compounds to travel up the testing stick to the pigments in the results window.
Don’t try to twist the cap open. Depending on which kit you have, the holder may be located in a different part of the kit. If some of the liquid spills out, discard the kit and use another one.
If the test pad accidentally comes in contact with any surface, discard it and get another test kit.
Don’t swipe more than once on each gum line because it could skew your results. It may be easier to use one side of the pad to swipe your top gums and the other side to swipe your bottom gums so you don’t have to flip the testing stick. It won’t affect the accuracy of the test.
Make sure the test window is facing you so you can read the results. The window of the testing stick will turn pink for a few minutes after being inserted into the tube. If your kit has a fold-out cover to block the view of the test window, use that to cover the results. You don’t have to do this, but it may help if you’re tempted to anxiously stare at the results window. Use the 20 minutes to meditate, read, journal, stretch, or do anything that relaxes you.
A single line next to the “C” (for “control”) and no line next to the “T” (for “test”) means your test is negative. If there are 2 lines next to the “C” and “T”, your test is positive. Even a faint second line counts as a positive reading. The results window will show a line next to the letter “C” whether it’s positive or negative. If no lines appear on either marker, your test is defective and you’ll need to repeat the test with a new kit. Most kits come with an opaque disposable bag in the drawer so you can discreetly dispose of it in any trash can.
To find a testing center, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)[12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source or text your zip code to “KNOW IT” (566948). [13] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source Getting a positive test result can often trigger depressive phases or psychological disorders like PTSD, so consider seeing a psychologist or doing group therapy to help you rise above any symptoms you might experience. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Make sure no children or pets have access to the area for the 20 minutes it’ll take to complete the test. The box will come with a sealed package, alcohol swab, lancet, and a dropper-bottle of buffer. Make sure all the parts are present, unopened, and undamaged. [16] X Research source Currently, Home Access HIV-1 Test System is the only brand of finger-prick home testing that’s approved by the FDA and the CDC. [17] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source Check the expiration date on the back of the sealed packet containing the test assay.
Don’t use hand sanitizer because it won’t wash off grime and debris like soap and water will.
It’s best to use your index or middle finger on your non-dominant hand so you can use your dominant hand to collect the blood.
Don’t worry, finger pricks are nearly painless. If you can handle shots, you can definitely handle a tiny prick! If you’re squeamish about blood, take a few deep breaths in and out before puncturing your finger. You can also think of a silly joke or cheerful moment to distract you for the half-second it will take.
Some kits come with small disposable bags for bio-waste. If not, use a small airtight plastic bag.
Squeeze your finger from the base to the tip to get a large droplet of blood. You’ll need at least 1 big drop to fill the “S” window, but some tests may require up to 3 or 4 drops. Refer to the instruction manual to see how many drops are necessary.
Some tests may require more or fewer drops of buffer, so check the instructions that came with the kit. After you squeeze the droplets out, use a clean tissue or paper towel to blot away the blood before applying a sterile bandage. Most kits don’t come with bandages so you’ll need to have some handy.
You should see a line next to the “C” on the test assay—this means the test is in working order. If there’s no line, contact the manufacturer to get a new test. A visible line next to the “T” denotes a positive result. No line next to the “T” means the test is negative. Place the kit and all its components into a biohazard waste bag. Some kits provide these, but if not, use a plastic zipper bag. [26] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
For instance, type “HIV testing center Miami” into your browser’s search bar. You can also find test sites at https://gettested. cdc. gov. If you suffer from depression or other psychological disorders, ask your doctor if they can refer you to a mental health professional or therapy group for people going through a similar situation.
