"Rapid" HIV Testing

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

There are two methods of HIV testing which I often recommend to people; the FDA approved last fall a finger stick test, more commonly known as the OraQuick. It has recently become readily available in the Los Angeles area, and one benefit of it beyond providing same day results, is that the costs have been lowered. More information can be found on this FDA question and answer link: http://www.fda.gov/cber/faq/oraqckfaq.htm

 

The other test is the one which I personally prefer as it does not require any blood and thus people, like me, who are not fond of needles, can feel comfortable be tested rapidly. It is commonly known as the OraSure test. It is readily offered in the Los Angeles area by AIDS Health Care Foundation as part of their mandate to perform and provide HIV testing, sometimes at the "Out of the Closet" thrift stores they run. More information can be found on this test here: http://www.aegis.com/news/fda/1994/Fd941201.html and http://www.bigislandaidsproject.org/orasure.html

 

Neither of these test has 100% accuracy but as you read the material provided, the accuracy is very high, greater than 95% - however, I still believe in routine and regular blood work, as such blood work is needed to test for other things such as Hepatitis C, syphilis and to perform routine blood work related to an annual physical exam.

 

Local or state HIV information hot lines in your area should be able to refer you to the nearest test sites which would offer these tests. Most metropolitan urban areas will have at least one of these tests available, often free of charge. However, if you can manage a donation at the time of being tested, you should consider making one.

[VaHawk]

RE:

 

Well, I don't think I for one, would be willing to take that 5% risk.

A friend of mine had that orasure test at the Whitman Walker clinic in DC. They told him it indicated positive, but cautioned that it was not conclusive. Man, you would have thought the world was coming to an end the way he carried on. I told him to go get a blood test, which he did and it came back negative, which was great for him, but in the meantime the uncertainty of "probably positive" about drove him (and me too as I had to babysit him) damn near insane.

 

Why put yourself thru this? I would recommend to just go get the blood test, until this technique can give you a 100% accurate reading, as you'll probably have to get blood drawn and tests anyway. Plus when they draw the blood as you say, you can get all the other tests done at the same time, plus a viral load test predone rather than waiting to find out you're positive and having to go back yet again.

 

I don't want to go thru that anymore than I have to, as like you I hate needles. Don't hurt but I just don't like to look at it being done, as I always turn my head away from the action.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Well, Consider This

 

>

>Why put yourself thru this?

 

In my case, my anxiety level may be different than your friends. I also get a blood test done twice a year and think being tested every three months is prudent for someone in this career. This is what I always advise the twinks, it is what some of the adult film companies require of their actors, and I think it is simply the responsible course.

 

The other reason I mentioned this is that in some areas, for example, say a client in a small town may visit Los Angeles or New York or Boston, he could locate and be tested in one of these rapid settings and not have to find someone in a small, rural or otherwise have to deal with his privacy being potentially limited simply because of the size of his community. For bisexual and married men this may be a key factor and, as you may know, the governments big push in the last five years (both the Clinton and the Bush health departments) has been to encourage at risk populations to be tested, to find out your particular status.

 

What is being learned now, especially among heterosexuals who have converted, is that many never even thought to be tested, and I am speaking of teenagers who are not bisexual or engaging in same-sex intimacy.

 

Finally, some people simply do not like needles and anything which makes any process more convenient, is always going to increase use of that process, whether we are talking about ATM machines for quick payment of gas, drive through windows for food, or blood work.

[tedbear]

RE:

 

>Why put yourself thru this? I would recommend to just go get

>the blood test, until this technique can give you a 100%

>accurate reading, as you'll probably have to get blood drawn

>and tests anyway.

 

 

A few years back, a friend of my took the blood test which came back positive. He took another blood test which showed negative and he was told the first test was a "false positive." Fast forward to later that year--his boss (he was in hospital administration, you'd think they'd know better) made his admin staff all donate blood during a blood shortage. This time, my friend got a letter telling him his blood had tested positive. He died six years ago, just when the cocktail was first becoming successful.

 

So, if you think any test will be 100% accurate, don't count on it. I'm sure the latest tests are better than they were even a few years ago, but none of them are totally reliable.

[+ Billsboy4]

RE: HIV Testing

 

Just to clarify things: Both the blood and oral tests are accurate. Blood is a little more accurate than the oral (blood is 99% and oral is about 97%). Nothing is 100%. The other difference is that blood can test for HIV 1 & 2 and oral only HIV 1. HIV 2 is found primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia only. Both Blood and Oral fluids are tested twice. First test is the Elisa. If the Elisa is positive, then the lab will run a Western Blot test as the confirmatory test. There are false positives on the Elisa, which is why the Western Blot is done (there are no false positives on the Western Blot).

 

The problem with the Rapid Test is that if you test positive, you still need to have another blood draw and your blood sent to a lab for the confirmatory Western Blot.

 

Most Clinics will happily test you for other STDs, but will not do a PCR (viral load test) unless you test HIV+. The PCR is very expensive ($100+) and not necessary unless you test poz. The other STDs require blood and urine. Therefore, if you want HIV + STDs, it's probably best to have a blood draw, pee in a cup and come back for your results.

[+ Billsboy4]

RE:

 

If you are in the LA Valley area, another great place to get tested without any hassle is the Valley Community Clinic in North Hollywood (http://www.valleyclinic.org)