​What does the test do?

The OraQuick HIV Self-Test is an in-vitro diagnostic self-test for HIV [HIV-1 and HIV-2] in oral fluid. The test works by detecting your body’s natural antibodies that help you fight infection. A positive result is preliminary and additional testing at a health facility is required to confirm the result is true.

​

What is a ‘risk event’ for HIV?

A risk event is defined by any of the below activities:

• Unprotected sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with one or multiple sex partners.

• Unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status you don’t know.

• Unprotected sex between a man and another man.

• Sharing needles or syringes for injecting of drugs (illegal or otherwise).

• Engaging in sex for money.

• Having been diagnosed or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis or a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis

 

How soon after a risk event can I test myself?

You can test any time, however if you are using this test earlier that 3 months since a risk event and your test is negative, your result may not be accurate. You should test again 3 months after the risk event to be sure. You can also be tested at a health facility.

​

Why shouldn’t I use this test right after a risk event?

When you have been infected with HIV, your body tries to fight the virus by producing natural antibodies. The antibodies can be found in the oral fluid. It takes your body up to 3 months to makes these antibodies at levels that can be detected by this test.

​

How accurate is the test?

In a clinical study 900 people who were unaware of their HIV status were given the OraQuick HIV Self-Test to use. The results were compared to 4th generation laboratory test. The laboratory result show that the total of 153 people was HIV positive and 724 people were HIV negative. Seven [7] people were excluded from the study. The comparison of results was as follows:

• 99.4% of people [152 out of 153] correctly reported their results at positive. This means that 1 out of 153 people infected with HIV reported a negative test result. This is called a false negative.

• 99.0% of people [717/724] correctly reported their results as negative. This means 7 out of 724 people not infected with HIV reported a positive test. This is called a false negative.

• In addition, only 18% of study subjects [16 out of 900] failed to obtain the test results.

 

Can I get HIV by using the test?

This test does not contain any materials or HIV virus that can cause HIV infection.

 

How often should I test?

If you have never been tested for HIV, you should be tested at least once. If you do things [risk events] that can result in HIV infection you should be tested at least once per year [World Health Organization recommendations]

 

​Can I use this test if I’m taking medicine to prevent HIV [oral PrEP]?

If you are taking oral PrEP for HIV, you may get false results.

​

For more information, visit www.oraquick.com

​​