Rapid Screening Tests for HIV
Advantages and Disadvantage of Rapid HIV Tests
Rapid HIV tests were designed to help providers provide counseling and testing in quick and easy manner. Other HIV tests, like the ELISA or Western Blot Test, take up to two weeks before patients receive their test results. This time delay means that patients suffer anxiety for weeks before receiving their results and other patients never return to the clinic to pick up the results of their HIV test.
How Rapid HIV Tests are Performed
Rapid HIV tests are done using either blood,saliva, plasma, or urine, depending on the specific test and the preferences of the provider. Most of the tests used in a medical setting are capable of testing for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. The body fluid being tested is usually mixed with a developing solution and then applied to a stick-like testing device. After the specified period of time has passed, the results are read from the test, similar to the way home pregnancy tests work.
Types of Rapid HIV Tests
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently has approved six different rapid HIV tests designed to be used in clinical settings.
- OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test
- Uni-Gold Recombigen HIV
- Reveal G-3 Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test
- MultiSport HIV-2/HIV-2 Rapid Test
- Clearview HIV1/2 STAT-PAK
- Clearview COMPLETE HIV 1/2
A seventh test, iDiagnostics Rapid HIV Test, is performed in the home, but does not require the sample to be sent to a lab. Instead, the patient uses either a blood or urine sample to perform the test on their own. Test results normally appear in about fifteen minutes. This test is not approved by the FDA, but is endorsed by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
A number of other tests are also available for individuals to use in their home. Many of these tests are very good at detecting the HIV virus, but they are not FDA approved. Individuals should always use caution when using one of these tests and consult their physician about the results.
Disadvantages of Rapid HIV Tests
Rapid HIV tests have not been shown to be as effective at detecting HIV as some of the more traditional tests. A positive result from a rapid HIV test is not a definitive diagnosis, so a positive result, or a result with any question, warrants further testing before confirming a diagnosis of HIV.
A negative test result does not necessarily mean that a person is HIV negative. There is a latency period between when a person is infected with HIV and when the virus becomes detectable in their system. There is also a chance that the person received a false negative test result. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to HIV should have a follow-up test performed six months after the first test.
Benefits of Rapid HIV Tests
One of the major benefits of rapid HIV testing is that the test results are ready in as little as fifteen minutes. The anxiety of waiting for the results from the other tests, which typically take two weeks, can be excruciating for some people. Another advantage is that they can be performed at home. At-home testing provides a level of privacy that can help many people overcome their fears of HIV testing.
References:
JL Greenwald, GR Burstein, J Pincus, and B Branson. A Rapid Review of Rapid HIV Antibody Tests. Current Infectious Disease Reports (2006). 8:125-131.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FDA-Approved Rapid HIV Antibody Screening Tests. Feb. 4, 2008.
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