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AIDS/Home HIV Tests?

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Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 3/3/2004


Question
Is there an over the counter HIV Test one can do at home? The cost of going to a lab is about $200 and you have to wait two weeks! Is there a better way to get tested?

Answer
Hi Kevin,

Do you live in the US? Almost all health departments offer free HIV testing, so you might try there. I do not recommend home testing kits because they are unreliable. There has only been one kit approved by the FDA, which allows the person to take a sample at home, and then send it off to a lab for analysis. Here is an article that discusses home HIV testing.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/hivalrt.htm

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Volunteer

Kristen Brannock, MPH

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning HIV infection and AIDS. This includes ways it can and cannot be transmitted, how it is treated, how it affects the body and methods to protect yourself. I can also answer questions concerning safer sex and contraception.

Experience

I trained with the Red Cross to become an HIV/AIDS counselor and was a member of CARES- Carolina AIDS Resource Education Service in college. I have an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education and conduct research in the field of HIV prevention. I also take continuing education courses in HIV/STI prevention periodically.

Education/Credentials
Master of Public Health Health Behavior and Health Education UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (formerly UNC-CH School of Public Health)

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