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OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test Kit
OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test Kit
Quest offers the OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test for a convenient and discreet way to test for antibodies to HIV at home with quick and easy results. Read moreTest details
Sample type:
Oral swab
Preparation:
Here are some recommendations to prepare:
Do not eat, drink or use oral care products (such as mouthwash, toothpaste, or whitening strips) 30 minutes before starting this test. Always use the directions in the HIV home test kit to help read your results correctly. Make sure you have a timer, watch or something that can keep time for 20 to 40 minutes. Remove dental products such as dentures or any other products that cover your gums. It may be helpful to have access to a phone to speak directly with a support person. Remember, this test usually detects HIV infection if used 3 months after a risk event. That's because OraQuick tests for HIV antibodies, and it usually takes your body up to 3 months to produce these antibodies at levels that can be detected. For comprehensive guidance on testing instructions and interpreting OraQuick In-Home HIV results, refer to the directions provided with your in-home kit. Post-exposure detection of HIV may take up to three months, known as the window period, in which antibodies to the virus are developed. Testing during the window period may produce a negative result. With a positive result and if results are inconclusive, seek additional testing in a medical setting.
What
Allows you to easily test for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2, the viruses that cause AIDS, in just 20 minutes. A positive result is preliminary and follow-up confirmatory testing is needed.
Who
Anyone over 18 years of age, who engages in high risk-activities, or has a partner that engages in high-risk activities should consider testing on a regular basis.
How
Oral swab
A home collection kit is sent to you.
About the Test
This test is an in-vitro diagnostic home-use test for HIV (HIV-1 and HIV-2) in oral fluid. This test works by looking for your body’s response (antibodies) to fighting the HIV virus. It allows you to test for HIV discreetly and accurately in the privacy of your own home in only 20 minutes.
If it has been at least 3 months since you’ve been exposed and you have followed all of the directions provided with the test, and your test is negative, then it is likely that you do not have HIV.
Note: This is an at home test from OraSure Technologies, Inc. Quest Diagnostics does not provide laboratory testing services for this item. Your test results will not be shared with or available from Quest, and PWNHealth services and fees do not apply to this offering.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
FAQs
It can take up to 3 months for the HIV antibodies to show up in an oral test like OraQuick. If you are testing and it hasn’t been 3 months since you might have been exposed, you should test again after 3 months have passed.
If it’s been at least 3 months since you were exposed, you’ve followed the kit’s instructions, and your results are negative, then it’s likely you don’t have HIV.
False negative results are possible in less than 10% of tests reported. But to reduce any chance of a false result, make sure that you follow the instructions carefully.
If you feel you may not have done the test correctly, take the test again to verify your results. If you regularly engage in high-risk activities, consider testing every 3 to 6 months, as recommended by the CDC.
If the OraQuick test comes back positive, it doesn’t always mean that you have HIV. It’s very important to confirm positive test results with more tests from a doctor or healthcare facility and if needed, start a treatment plan.
Remember that HIV does not mean that you will get AIDS. Get tested and begin treatment as soon as possible.
If you are testing because you have never been tested before and are not testing in response to an exposure or engaging in high-risk activity, then you can test anytime.
If you are testing because of a possible exposure or high-risk activity, then you should usually wait 3 months after exposure or engaging in high-risk activities before using this test because CDC reports that for most people (97%), it can take 3 months for your body to produce the HIV antibodies that this test can detect. If you want to be tested before 3 months from exposure or high-risk activity, then you should go to your doctor or local healthcare provider.
It can take up to 3 months for your body to produce HIV antibodies. This test detects those antibodies. So, testing before 3 months may cause a test result that is not accurate.
If you have never been tested for HIV, you should get tested.
HIV is preventable, but if you participate in high-risk activities the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting tested at least every year if you are at high-risk.
High-risk activities include:
- Sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) with multiple partners
- Sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status you don’t know
- Sex between a man and another man
- Using illegal injected drugs or steroids
- Shared needles or syringes
- Exchanged sex for money
- Having been diagnosed or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis or a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis
No, you cannot cancel or return the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test. Tests are nonrefundable and nonreturnable.
You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.