Why aren’t they testing for HIV?

If only the world was prefect, and everyone tested for HIV when they should.  Regrettably it is not, they don’t.

We operate HeadStartTesting, an online supplier of HIV Self-Test Kits for the Australian public. We are often challenged as to the quality of testing for HIV at home versus testing at a medical clinic that can also offer counselling. After 2 years of providing this service, our response is still the same.

Regrettably many individuals who know they have been at risk, delay or decide not to test through a medical centre. Some still continue normal sexual activity and as a result they are the category most likely to infect others. It is a safe assumption to say that most infected with HIV were infected by a partner who did not know they themselves had HIV.  Of course they most likely knew they had been at risk, but decided not to test (and thus infected others). We often receive communication from a client stating their high level of anxiety and concern over their status. Some can’t sleep they are so worried about their HIV status or the HIV status of a recent partner, yet they choose not to consult their doctor.

Why?

As logically anyone who thinks they have contracted a life threatening disease would seek medical assistance, there must be some other factor driving these individuals to not test for HIV.
Our conclusion is that HIV is still seen as a socially embarrassing topic and when the possible contamination method is sexual contact it is more embarrassing or sensitive still. This is a concern as early detection of HIV can greatly increase survival rates. If HIV testing seems so logical and beneficial, why are many not doing it?
Many feel too embarrassed to explain their behaviours to another? Denial, what are the chances, it can’t happen to me? I’ll do it next week. I can’t explain this to my partner so I’ll just hope it’s nothing.  I feel fine, I don’t have any HIV symptoms. I think I have HIV Symptoms but can’t face my doctor.

HIV home test kits, target those individuals who decided not to test, and offer them an alternate to the testing methods they chose not to use.

But…If one of those individuals (the one who decided not to test with his doctor) does test and is HIV positive we have the following scenario. They face the immediate result without counselling at their side. This is clearly difficult for some individuals. However, it is hard to argue it is a worse scenario than if they had just carried on normal activities and infected others.  After all we are talking about an HIV positive person who was putting off testing and had so far decided it did not warrant consulting a medical professional. The objective is simple, get their status known and stop their risk of contaminating others through any reasonable means possible.

Now we have identified the need for HIV testing at home. Can it be done accurately? Are the HIV self-test kits accurate? Yes, they detect both the HIV 1 and 2 sub-virus, have a +99% accuracy and are manufactured under ISO, GMP standards. They are simple to use and give results in 5 minutes. If used incorrectly they will show a failed test result and not a false negative or positive.

If in doubt about your HIV status or you are concerned you have HIV symptoms then please test. Testing as soon as possible for HIV will remove any doubts/anxiety and more importantly ensure your health and the health of others is best protected. Head Start Testing can supply you with HIV Home Test Kits if self-testing is your preference.

Should HIV home test kits be used in Australia?

There is some controversy surrounding the recent availability of HIV self test kits in Australia.  It is a somewhat complicated argument that most certainly both sides of the have some merit.  Those against self testing for HIV in Australia are concerned that individuals testing of their HIV status without medical supervision of doing so without access to counseling to prepare them and assist them in the event of an HIV positive result.  They also foregoing counseling that may assist him in avoiding the necessity for testing by discussing the behavior that put them at risk of HIV infection and helping them understand how to avoid the risk.  These are certainly valuable points however the logic of that would then prevent many individuals from testing if test kits were not available could potentially have a negative effect in the overall percentage of the population the test for HIV after at risk behavior.   

It is logical to assume that most people in Australia infected with HIV as a result of sexual interactions were infected by a person who had not been tested for HIV.  It is also logical to assume that the conflicting individual was aware that they had had at risk sexual behavior yet for some reason they had not tested for HIV.  Given that everyone in Australia has access to a general practitioner and more and HIV testing clinic is also logical to assume that the potential reasons for that individual mark testing are those of convenience and  or privacy.  By giving those individuals and alternative testing method for HIV potentially HIV home tests kits will increase the percentage of at risk individuals testing for HIV.

No single HIV testing method will suit all members of the public.  The objective must certainly be to test as many individuals as possible through which ever HIV testing method they choose to use in Australia.  Only by testing those individuals who are not using traditional HIV testing methods the only hope to reduce the number of HIV positive individuals that have an unknown status carrying on at-risk sexual behavior.

Do I have the HIV virus?

HIV is typically transmitted through unprotected sex or needle sharing.  The only way to know for certain if you have contracted the HIV virus from these behaviours is to carry out HIV testing.  

Your medical practitioner can arrange for you to have a blood test or you can visit a specialist clinic for STD testing and explain that you believe you have been a risk of contracting the HIV virus.

If you have had unprotected sex with any partner whose HIV status is unknown to you members can be a potential risk of infection.  HIV testing in New Zealand is easily accessible and affordable.  A range of facilities offer  HIV testing and STD testing as well as counselling.  However for many new Zealanders prefer to self test for HIV using the home HIV tests kits.  This allows for  HIV testing in the privacy and convenience of your own home. 

These HIV test kits are extremely accurate and easy to use and can be purchased online from www.HeadStartTesting.co.nz.  Was this method of Ford’s the user greater privacy and convenience it is extremely important to consider that by testing through this method the individual will receive no counselling or immediate assistance with the result that they will receive.   

Of course in the event of a positive result they will need to seek medical advice and at this stage they will have access to the counselling they may require.  The this method of HIV testing and in fact all efforts share a similar goal to increase overall HIV testing tend to decrease the number of individuals infected by the HIV virus who are unaware of the positive status.

Do I have HIV? Are these HIV symptoms?

Many individuals grow concerned that the health symptoms they are showing maybe those of the HIV virus.  This can be a cause of anxiety and stress for the individual which may then go on to worsen their perceptions of the symptoms they are showing. 

Before we discuss what may be possible HIV symptoms let us first look at the HIV virus.  The HIV virus is typically transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids or blood.  Hypothetically the transmission may occur during oral sex as this can involve the exchange of HIV carrying fluids.

Needle sharing and unprotected sexual intercourse are common methods of transmission.  Once the HIV virus enters the bloodstream of an individual the immune system of that individual will began to produce antibodies in an effort to destroy the virus.  It is these antibodies that HIV tests detect showing that the individual does in fact have the HIV virus.  Of the period of time after infection to the presence of HIV antibodies is commonly referred to as the HIV window period. 

During this time HIV is undetectable and the body is manufacturing antibodies.  This process may cause a viral responds with in the body and can show some symptoms similar to a flu or other viral infection.  It is important to note that no set of symptoms is unique to HIV infection and as such no physical symptoms can serve as a diagnosis.  Of many individuals will show no symptoms at all as they passed through this period can produce HIV antibodies.  So when asking the question “do I have HIV?” , the only way to be certain of the answer is to take an HIV test.  In Australia and individual has various options for HIV testing including the purchase of online self test kits.

HIV Home Test Kits - How do they work?

Recent advances in technology have made possible self-testing for HIV.

This allows individuals who may be worried they have HIV symptoms or are concerned about their HIV status to test in the privacy of their own home at their convenience. The HIV home test kits are extremely accurate and very easy to use. Head Start testing sells HIV test kits online through its website.  The test kits are >99% accurate, cover type 1 and 2 virus.

So before we get into how to use a HIV home test kit, let us look at what they detect.

All HIV test kits available today, whether purchased online, or carried out by a medical professional in a std, HIV or general blood testing facility check for the HIV anti-body, not the virus. The antibodies are produced after your body produces them in reaction to the pathogen (in this case the HIV virus).  HIV tests do not detect the HIV virus, they detect antibodies produced as a result of it. 

Humans take in general 4-12 weeks to produce these.  This means that any type of HIV test is not effective if your exposure is recent. Typically most will develop antibodies within 4 weeks but 12 weeks is seen as the safe window period to work with. A common testing practice then, is to test at 4 weeks (to be a strong indication) and again at 12 weeks ( to be certain).  Remember, this window period is the same for all tests whether from your doctor or an online provider such as Head Start Testing. As early HIV symptoms are very similar to those of other illnesses and many individuals show no symptoms at all, testing forantibodies is seen as they only reliable way to detect HIV.

So, how do HIV home test kits work?

1. The test is a simple process that involves the following steps.
2.  After washing your hands, open the sealed pouch of the test kit. Using the alcohol swab , clean your finger. 
3.  The included lancet delivers a small measured pin prick to your finger which. 
4.  Collect 2 or 3 drops of blood in the micro pipette and place the drops into the sample well on the test strip. 
5.   Add a few drops of diluent into the sample well.

Resource: http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/4643019?articleid=4643019

HIV Test Kits

With the recent advance and technology in relation to HIV testing it is now possible for individuals in Australia to self test for HIV.  The self test HIV kits give results within just a few minutes and are extremely accurate.  Previously to test for HIV and individual would have to visit a medical centre, take a blood test and then wait for the results.  In some cases this could take up to seven days and is often an extremely stressful and anxious waiting time.  With the arrival of self test kits individuals contest in the privacy of their own home and receive the results of the HIV test within minutes. When buying HIV test kits it is essential that the test kits you are purchasing have been manufactured by the.  Head Start Testing supply high quality HIV test kits in Australia that are manufactured under both the ISO and the GMP standards.  This ensures that every test kit produced is of a consistent quality and meets the specifications of the originally designed product.  With this in mind when purchasing an HIV test kit with the ISO and the GMP standards you can be sure that the result given is a true one.

HIV Home Test Kits

When using HIV test kits it is also essential that you follow the instructions carefully.  The HIV test kits are simple to use and come with clear instructions.  An important feature to look for when buying HIV test kits is the “failed test” outcome.  Of this clearly shows the user that the result is neither positive nor negative but that in fact the test has failed for some reason.  This is an important feature has it avoids false negatives of false positives. 
 
So if you are considering using an HIV self test kit and are looking for an online supplier in Australia then Head Start Testing can supply high quality and reliable HIV test kits for your use.