HIV Self-Testing Methods
Disease description:
I am a 30-year-old woman. Recently, one of my colleagues was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. We used to have a good relationship and often ate meals together and went shopping. I am somewhat worried that I might have been infected. Could you please tell me what are the methods for self-testing for HIV/AIDS?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
HIV self-testing usually involves using a home HIV antibody test kit. The following are general steps and precautions:
1. Purchase the kit: Obtain a certified HIV self-test kit from a pharmacy, online, or through public health departments. Ensure the product comes from a reliable source and has been approved by relevant regulatory authorities.
2. Sample collection: Most kits require a finger-prick blood sample. Follow the instructions to clean your finger, gently prick the fingertip with a lancet, and squeeze out a few drops of blood onto the test device.
3. Testing process: According to the kit instructions, mix the sample with the reagent and wait for a certain period (usually 15 minutes to 1 hour) before reading the result. Some test kits may require a urine sample.
4. Interpreting results: Follow the illustrations provided in the instructions. Typically, two lines indicate a positive result, and one line indicates a negative result. Some kits may use plus (+) or minus (-) symbols to indicate the result.
If there are any concerns, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly.
