Introduction:
Many people in the world are suffering from AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), and some of them are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency syndrome) without knowing about the disease. It is therefore important to carry out HIV tests on a wide scale rapidly to prevent transmission of this deadly disease. In case of early diagnosis of the disease, the patient can be treated early. Therefore, the doctors recommend testing every individual within the age range of 12 to 65 years at least once for HIV.
Keeping in mind this utmost requirement, the researchers developed rapid HIV tests in order to enable rapid, quick, and effective HIV testing of a suspected individual in the comfort of his own house. Rapid HIV tests will help the United Nations to help achieve its target of minimizing this epidemic by diagnosing more than 90 percent of the cases.
What Is a Rapid HIV Test?
Rapid HIV test is a self-testing technique wherein the patient can test himself and get the results in less than 20 minutes. The sample is usually obtained from the blood obtained by a finger prick or from the patient’s saliva. A rapid antibody test is performed that will deliver the results within 20 to 25 minutes.
There are several at-home HIV kits available. In this test, the swab is collected from the upper and lower gingiva (gums) for oral fluid specimen collection. The swab is then placed in a vial that will depict either positive or negative results. The result can come within five to 20 minutes. If the test results show positive results, it is necessary to seek professional medical help to perform another HIV test in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Why Is Rapid HIV Testing Significant?
Rapid HIV testing can be beneficial in several ways, which include:
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Deliver quick, effective, and rapid test results.
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The testing can be done using a saliva sample also. This is beneficial for those patients who are afraid of a needle prick or blood.
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It is a feasible test.
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The test is highly sensitive, specific, and highly reproducible.
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Very little clinical laboratory equipment is required to perform the test.
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There is no need for constant electricity or water supply.
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The test is very easy to perform with a very basic training course.
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The test results are very easy to comprehend and interpret.
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The test results are obtained in less than 30 minutes.
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The shelf-life of this test is approximately 11 to 12 months or more than that.
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Rapid HIV tests are useful to perform on an individual patient or in a small group of the population.
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The test generates minimal waste. Waste disposal is very less.
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It is comparatively less expensive and quite affordable.
Who Should Do a Rapid HIV Test?
People, irrespective of their age, race, origin, gender, and sexual interest, can develop HIV infection. There are, however, some people who are at an increased risk of contracting this infection. These include people who do the following:
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Unprotected vaginal or anal sex.
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Have multiple sexual partners.
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Share needles and injections during intravenous drug abuse.
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Those who visit sex workers.
When Should a Rapid HIV Test Be Done?
There is a window period between the virus exposure and the actual occurrence of antibodies in the blood. In this window period, the host’s immune system starts developing antibodies against the HIV antigen. Antibodies are immunoglobulin protein structures that are produced by the host’s body in reaction to certain infections. Most HIV tests detect these antibodies.
Rapid HIV tests can detect these antibodies within three months (90 days), whereas clinical laboratory testing can detect the antibodies against HIV within 45 days after the initial exposure.
However, to confirm the test results, it is always advisable to do more than one HIV test to confirm the diagnosis. False-negative results can come if the test is done within the window period. So the test should be repeated at the end of the window period.
What Are Fourth-Generation Rapid HIV Tests?
Rapid fourth-generation HIV tests have the ability to identify HIV antibodies as well as p24 antigens. Compared to these tests, the older HIV test versions only detect antibodies. Therefore, the fourth-generation tests give the results very quickly when compared to second and third-generation HIV tests.
What Are the Safety Rules for Rapid HIV Testing?
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Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited at the time of testing.
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The site of testing should be kept hygienic and clean.
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The working surface should not be contaminated with any other foreign substances.
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The needle used for testing must not be recapped.
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The lancets and needles must not be reused.
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The needles should be carefully disposed of in special waste containers that are labeled as potentially dangerous.
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The finger should be sterilized properly before the prick. Once the blood is withdrawn, the finger should be covered with a plaster.
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The hospital staff should wash their hands properly after handling the infectious patient and material.
What Do the Rapid HIV Test Results Suggest?
1. Positive HIV Test Result- A positive result is suggestive of the antibodies against HIV present in
the blood. However, if the test result is positive, it is always suggested to do an additional test from
a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis after a few weeks. A positive HIV test does not mean that the
patient has AIDS. The early diagnosis will help to initiate antiretroviral therapy as soon as
possible to cure the disease.
2. False-Positive HIV Test Results- Some rapid tests might give false positive test results due
to the detection of antibodies, but those antibodies are due to some other infection in the body.
The rapid oral saliva test can likely deliver a false positive test. It is always advisable to seek
medical help.
3. Negative HIV Test Results- If the HIV test result is negative, it is suggested to take precautionary
measures like practicing safe sex and taking prophylactic antiretroviral therapy (PrEP which is
Pre-exposure prophylaxis) to avoid the encounter of HIV infection.
Conclusion:
It is always better to have knowledge about the HIV infection status of an individual. HIV testing, if done rapidly and among large masses, can pave the way for quick treatment and provide quality care to HIV-infected individuals. Execution of HIV preventive measures is only possible if the masses are tested at a rapid rate. Rapid HIV test is a feasible test that helps to deliver results quite quickly, thereby aiding the healthcare system to end this epidemic.
