An HIV Test is an important tool in the detection of AIDS. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease that limits the body's ability to fight infection. A person with AIDS has a very weak immune system, turning normally mild or rare diseases into potentially fatal conditions. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.

In today's society, an HIV Test is a necessary precaution. A person can be HIV-infected for many years while looking and feeling healthy, with no signs at all of being sick. An HIV Test is the only way to find out for sure.

The Home Access Health Corporation's® HIV Test is now available from Home Health Testing® so you can find out for sure with complete anonymity. Use the home HIV Test to find out if you have been exposed to the HIV virus.

The home HIV Test comes complete with everything you need to anonymously collect and ship a small blood sample (that you obtain by pricking your little finger) to an accredited laboratory. You get accurate test results, professional HIV counseling and medical or social referrals.

The Home Access® HIV home tests have been clinically proven and certified by the FDA to be as safe, effective and accurate as HIV tests administered by doctors, hospitals and health clinics. The Home Access® laboratory will perform a series of tests on your blood sample known as Eliza Screens. If these yield a positive result, they will then perform an IFA Confirmation - the gold standard in HIV testing.

Besides being fast, convenient and accurate, the home HIV Test is easy to use. Each kit comes with a detailed instruction booklet with graphic illustrations to guide you through the entire collection and testing process. The kit contains a small blotter that is identified with a unique 11 digit code. Calling a toll free number initially activates your 11 digit code and gives you anonymous access to professional counselors to ensure that you understand the entire process. Using the small spring loaded device that comes with the kit, prick your little finger and put a couple of drops of blood onto the blotter. Ship the blotter in a prepaid Federal Express® mailer (supplied) to the accredited Home Access® laboratory (first class postal mailer outside of the continental U.S.). Anonymously call a toll free number in 5 days, identify yourself only with your 11 digit code and ask for your results. If necessary, you then receive professional post-test aids counseling and medical referrals.

Several states have attempted to block the sale of home HIV tests citing their laws that mandate the reporting of names of HIV infected persons. However, federal court rulings have upheld the FDA approval of the Home Access® HIV kits over the more restrictive state laws. Use of a Home Access® HIV from Home Health Testing® affords you total anonymity regardless of your state and local laws. Guaranteed!

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Instructions Kit contains:
1 Instructional Insert, 1 "Things You Should Know About HIV and AIDS" Insert, 1 Blood Sample Collection Card with Home Access Code Number, 1 Alcohol Prep Pad, 1 Gauze Pad, 2 Lancets, 1 Adhesive Bandage, 1 Sample Return Pouch, 1 Cardboard Envelope, 1 FedEx Shipping Envelope

STEP ONE YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR HOME ACCESS CODE NUMBER BEFORE COLLECTING YOUR BLOOD SPOT SAMPLE
1a. Save Your Home Access Code # - Carefully tear off the colorted portion of your Blood Sample Collection Card at the perforation. It contains your personal 11 digit Home Access Code #. You alone are responsible for this code #. If you lose it, you will not be able to get your test result! Keep your code # in a safe place.
1.b. Read Informed Consent Section of this Insert - Before registering your Home Access Code #, read the conditions of Informed Consent found on this insert. Registering your Code # and writing it on the Blood Sample Collection Card (Step 2.m.) indicates to us that you have read, understand, and agree to these conditions.
1.c. Register Your Home Access Code # - Before collecting your blood spot sample, please call 1-800-400-8988 to register your 11 digit code #. You can register at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Listen carefully to the instructions and enter the appropriate responses using your touch-tone telephone. Counselors are available (except holidays) for assistance and to answer questions.

STEP TWO
2.a. Find a Clean, Dry Place to Collect Your Blood Spot Sample - Place your sample collection kit on a clean, dry surface where you can work without interruption for about 20 minutes. It is important to keep the Blood Sample Collection Card clean and dry; the laboratory may not be able to test a soiled or wet card. Do not touch the card with wet hands.
2.b. Read All Sample Collection Instructions.
2.c. Wash and Dry Hands - Wash your hands with soap and warm (not hot) tap water. Dry your hands thoroughly. This will help remove skin oils and other contaminants that could spoil your blood spot sample.
2.d. Uncover Blood Sample Collection Card Circle - Before you collect your blood spot sample, uncover the printed circle on the Blood Sample Collection Card by lifting up the protective flap.
2.e. Choose Finger and Puncture Site - Choose a puncture site on the soft PAD of your fingertip, preferably your ring or middle finger. In choosing a puncture site, avoid callused areas. This will increase your ability to collect the blood spot sample required for testing.
2.f. Clean Puncture Site With Alcohol Prep Pad and Dry With Gauze Pad - Clean the selected puncture site with the alcohol prep pad. Use the gauze pad to thoroughly wipe off the excess alcohol from your finger.
2.g. Stimulate Blood Flow to Fingers. Rub your hands together vigorously (hard and fast) for about 1 minute to stimulate blood flow.
2.h. Lancet - Carefully remove the clear safety cap. DO NOT touch the RED BUTTON while removing the cap; this can cause the lancet to discharge. Place the lancet on a table or countertop, RED BUTTON facing up. Place the pad of your selected fingertip over the hole on the RED BUTTON and push down firmly - until you hear the "click." If necessary, call 1-800-400-8988 for assistance before using the second lancet. Each lancet can only be used once.
2.i. Apply Pressure to Finger Near Puncture Site - Massage the blood from the palm and finger to the tip of the finger to increase blood flow.
2.j. Add Blood Drops to Circle on Blood Sample Collection Card - Place the first drop of blood on the edge of the circle and continue placing drops side-by-side until the circle is filled. Large drops will soak through, front-to-back. Smaller drops indicate you may be squeezing your finger too hard. DO NOT place drop on top of drop - side-by-side works best. You may put extra blood outside the circle, but the circle itself must be completely filled.
2.k. Check Back of Circle to See If Blood Soaked Through - As you are filling the circle, check the back of the filter paper to make sure blood is soaking through. If it is not, larger drops need to be formed. Apply blood only to the front of the filter paper - DO NOT place blood on the back. The blood spot must be of sufficient size and quality or it cannot be tested. If you are having difficult with your sample call 1-800-400-8988 and ask for assistance before using the second lancet.
2.l. Apply bandage - After completely filling the circle with blood, apply an Adhesive Bandage to the puncture site. Lancets and all other materials may be safely disposed of in your home garbage.
2.m. Write your Home Access Code # & Collection Date - Write your Home Access Code # and the date you collected your blood sample in the space provided. DO NOT sign your name!

STEP THREE SHIPPING YOUR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION CARD. Card must be shipped the day the sample is taken. Allow blood spot sample to air dry 30 minutes before beginning this step.
3.a. Place the Blood Sample Collection Card in the Sample Return Pouch - After 30 minutes of drying, fold the protective flap back to its original position on the Blood Sample Collection Card. This will protect the blood spot sample. Then place the Blood Sample Collection Card in the Sample Return Pouch.
3.b. Tightly Seal the Sample Return Pouch - Peel off the adhesive cover at the top of the Sample Return Pouch. Fold down along the perforation. Press down hard along the back of the fold to seal it tightly.
3.c. Place Sample Return Pouch in Cardboard Envelope - To seal the Cardboard Envelope, peel off the adhesive cover, fold down the flap, and press down hard on the flap.
3.d. Place Cardboard Envelope in FedEx Shipping Envelope - Place the sealed Cardboard Envelope into the FedEx Shipping Envelope. Seal the shipping envelope by peeling off the adhesive cover and folding the flap over. This envelope has a prepaid shipping label attached to it. No release signature is needed.
3.e. Use FedEx for Shipping - Take the sealed FedEx Shipping Envelope to any FedEx Customer Service Center. You can also use a FedEx drop-off box for shipment. Call FedEx at 1-800-238-5355 to learn the location of the nearest Service Center or drop-off box.

STEP FOUR 4. To Get Your Result, You Must Have Your Home Access Code Number - Using a touch-tone phone dial 1-800-400-8988. Listen carefully and follow all instructions. If you do not have a touch-tone phone a counselor will assist you. You may call seven days a week. Results should be available one business day after you ship your sample, but it may take longer. If your sample is not received within 10 days after shipment, you may be eligible for a refund/replacement. After you have obtained your results by telephone you can request a printed copy. Please ask a counselor for details. RESULTS A negative result means the blood spot sample submitted did not show antibodies to HIV-1. A positive result means the sample should be considered infected with HIV-1 and precautions must be taken so as not to infect other people through risky behavior. However, inaccurate results may occur and a positive test result alone does not mean I have AIDS or will ever develop AIDS.

**If you learn that your sample cannot be tested for any reason, please talk to a counselor by calling 1-800-400-8988 or asking the counselor on the line why it was unable to be tested successfully. They should be able to offer you an explanation. These tests are guaranteed by the lab and when appropriate they will issue another test to you.

Warnings/Limitations READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU PRICK YOUR FINGER.
Hemophiliacs or those on anticoagulant therapy should consult their physician before using this kit.
Keep out of reach of children.
DO NOT use any part of this kit internally.
You may experience dizziness while collecting your blood spot sample.
NEVER use a lancet that has been used by another person.
DO NOT collect or leave your Blood Sample Collection Card in a place where others may be exposed to it.
We reserve the right to defer giving test results to clients who are likely to harm themselves or others after they obtain their results.
Failure to dispose of used lancet(s) as directed may result in injury or infection. Carefully handle the lancet. DO NOT touch the red activation button until ready for use. EACH LANCET CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.
This sample collection kit is for SELF-USE only.
Failure to use this sample collection kit as directed may result in an insufficient or untestable blood sample. Our laboratory must receive a blood spot sample of adequate size and quality or it cannot be tested.
Your blood spot sample is perishable. If not recieved within 10 days of collection, it will not be tested.
Use by persons under 18 years of age has not been evaluated.
Not all persons infected with HIV-1 will test positive: not all persons testing positive are infected with HIV-1.
You cannot retrieve your results without knowing your Home Access Code Number.
Shipments from Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will require an additional business day for results delivery. Telephone access to your results is limited: Negative test results are available for a period of 30 days after receiving the result for the first time. Within that 30 day period, clients with a negative result can access their result and talk to a counselor by telephone a total of 3 times. Positive and indeterminate results are available to clients for a period of 1 year after receiving the result for the first time. Within that 1 year period clients with positive/indeterminate test results can access their result and talk to a counselor by telephone a total of 6 times. All other results are available to clients for 30 days.

 

Click here for sample of the Home HIV Test results

Q: How accurate is the home HIV test?
A:The Home Access® HIV Test Kit is clinically proven to be greater than 99.9% accurate using the same tests run by doctors and hospitals. Data from Phase III clinical trials have been published in the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 157, 2/10/97). Test results are available in 3 working days.

Q: When should I test?
A:If you think that you have been exposed to HIV, you should be tested. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if it's been 6 months since the last time you could have been exposed to the HIV virus and you test negative, you can feel confident with your negative test results. However you can test as early as 3 months after potential exposure.

Q: How confidential and anonymous is my test?
A:Your test results are completely anonymous. Only you, the test taker, have access to your test results. There are no names associated with your personal Home Access® Code Number.

Q: Are there any drugs or medical conditions that could influence the results?
A:The test is not recommended for hemophiliacs or individuals taking blood thinning medications such as anticoagulants.

Q: How do I take the test?
A:Its easy. Just call in to register your anonymous Home Access® Code Number. Then collect a blood spot sample by following the instructions included in your kit. (If you have questions, you can call the Home Access® toll-free number for assistance Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.) Ship your sample back to the laboratory for processing and then call in to find out your test results.

Q: When can I get my results?
A:With the standard test kit ($49.95) the results are available in 5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).

Q: How are my test results given?
A:You retrieve your results by calling a toll-free number included in your test kit. If you are transferred to a counselor, don't panic, this does not mean that you have tested positive.

Q: Can I get a copy of my test results in writing?
A:Yes, you must first obtain your results over the phone. Then send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request noting your code number to:
Mail Back Results Home Access Health
2401 W. Hassell Road Suite 1510
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

You can also request your test results by email. Email to hivresult@homeaccess.com and include your code number in the body of the email and your results will be returned to the email address you sent from within 24 hours. See a sample of the emailed home HIV test results pdf report here

Q: Are there any additional fees?
A: No.The Home Access® Standard HIV Test kit is available for $49.95 and includes the collection kit, postage from your home to the lab and lab analysis fees.

Q: What does an insufficient result mean?
A:An insufficient result refers specifically to the Home Access® HIV Test system. It means that HIV-1 antibody testing could not be performed on the blood sample that was sent to the laboratory. This happens most often because there was not enough blood to test. If you use Home Access® HIV testing, make sure you follow all printed instructions regarding the collection of a blood sample.

Q: So what does a negative result mean?
A:It means that HIV-1 antibodies were not found by a laboratory in a particular blood sample.

Q: What does a positive result mean?
A:It means that HIV-1 antibodies were found by the laboratory in a particular blood sample and the individual providing that sample is infected. That individual is capable of passing the virus on to someone else.

Q: What does an indeterminate result mean?
A:It means a laboratory could not confirm the presence of HIV-1 antibodies in a particular blood sample. It could mean that an individual may be in the process of converting from being negative to being positive. It could also be due to other medical factors. In either case, it is recommended that the individual be re-tested.

Q: What exactly does an HIV test do?
A:Any HIV test checks your blood specimen for HIV-1 antibodies. The body creates antibodies to HIV when an individual becomes infected by the virus. By testing blood for these antibodies, a laboratory can tell if HIV is present.

Q: How soon do these antibodies show up?
A:In most infected people, the antibodies will show up in the blood within three months. In some people, it takes six months or longer. This is important because the test cannot detect recent infections. For example, if you became infected in January, you may not test positive until June.

Q: So you can test negative and still be infected?
A:Yes, there is a small window period of time when recent infections may not be detected.

Q: What is AIDS?
A:AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease that limits the body's ability to fight infection. A person with AIDS has a very weak immune system, turning normally mild or rare diseases into potentially fatal conditions.

Q: What is HIV?
A:HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.

Q: How can you tell if someone is infected with HIV?
A:Only with a blood test. A person can be HIV-infected for many years while looking and feeling healthy, with no signs at all of being sick.

Q: Who is most likely to become infected?
A:Anyone can become infected with HIV. HIV is transmitted sexually or through drug use by contaminated blood.

Q: How can I be exposed to HIV?
A:Unprotected sex with someone who is infected or sharing a needle or syringe with someone who is infected.

Q: What is unprotected sex?
A:Sex without a condom. HIV is found in semen, vaginal fluids and blood. HIV can enter the body through any type of sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Q: What about doing drugs?
A:Injecting drugs using a needle that has been used by someone else is risky because it can contain infected blood from that person.

Q: What are the ways to prevent or reduce exposure to HIV infection?
A:The best way to reduce risk is to always use a latex condom correctly for all sexual intercourse. If you are using injectable drugs, always use a sterile needle and never use somebody else's equipment.

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	anonymous test	Aug 20, 2010	sam	Charleston SC US
	test is anonymous. when you call the lab you only have to give them the code in the test and not your name. more...