Issued by: Directorate HIV/AIDS and STDs An article appeared in the Financial Mail on 26 June 1998 under the heading Do-It-yourself Peace of Mind. It deals with the launch in S.A. of a home testing kit for HIV which will be available on mail order and from some pharmacies. Unlike rapid HIV tests which are used in a variety of situations this home test Kit is not intended to be conducted and read by a health care professional but by the person who purchases the kit and conducts the test on him or herself.
The Department of Health is communicating an urgent warning to the public not to purchase and use these kits for the following reasons:
- these are serious implications to taking an HIV test and these must be discussed in a one on one counselling session with a trained counsellor before taking the decision to have the test. Reading information about AIDS does not count as counselling.
- some people may consider doing the home test shortly after a risky sexual encounter. If they test negative they may not understand that they could in fact be infected but in the `window period' - that is before the test can pick up evidence of the HIV infection. This could have serious implications for themselves and their partners.
- good medical practice dictates that no positive HIV test result is given to a person on the basis of one positive result (as false positive results are possible). A second positive result is required to confirm a result. The home test kit does not provide for any confirmation.
The Department of Health encourage those who wish to learn their HIV status to approach their health care professional. Counselling and testing is available in most clinics, hospitals or at AIDS Training, Information and Counselling Centres (ATICCs). You will be offered pre-test counselling by trained counsellors within a confidential relationship. During the counselling you will check your knowledge of what the test means and consider carefully the implications of the test result. Should you then decide to take the test, blood will be drawn and sent to a reputable laboratory where it will be tested and, if positive on the first test, confirmed with a second test. You will return for the test result and receive post-test counselling during which you can discuss and clarify any matters which you wish to with your counsellor.
This is the way testing is done throughout the world. Do not be tempted to try and find out your HIV status in a quick but unreliable way - chose the right way.