The do-it-yourself HIV test - accurate but controversial

[greenvalley]

Attitudes towards HIV tests have changed markedly in recent years. Within the medical profession, there used to be widespread reluctance to advise people to take an HIV-test - those infected couldn't be helped anyway, so why spoil their few remaining carefree years?

Now, the message is exactly the opposite: many problems can be prevented by early detection of HIV-infection. But what if one simply doesn't dare ask for a test, or if the stigma that still clings to AIDS is just too strong? Then the do-it-yourself HIV test kit could be just the solution.

"It really is a very simple device," says Dr Roel Raatgever, Product Development Manager of Rotterdam based-company Mirates. "It's virtually foolproof, and just in case you do make a mistake it warns you that the test result is not valid. Should that happen, then a client can contact us and we'll ship another testing device free of charge."

Complete article here:
http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/science/051128rf?view=Standard

 

[Valium]

Great idea if it is actually reliable and assuming that people use it properly, not just as a quick test when they panic and think they're at risk. As for all the objections I say it's always better to know than to not know, regardless of the situation.

 

[greenvalley]

The part you quoted is directly from the article. In the early days of HIV I had heard of situations like that, it wasn't so much that they couldn't help them if they had HIV but more of the possible misguided backlash if they did have it. They really misunderstood about transmission and had people so worried about just being around people with HIV, like they were lepers.

It’s not really something I would probably use, just an article I read. However, I do believe there are people out there that are afraid of going to get a test and may prefer to use this. The article covers the upside and some of the downsides of tests like this.

 

[WinnipegCharlie]

IMHO, if you are too embarassed to go for HIV or STD testing, you shouldn't be having sex.

Play safe!

C

 

[Big Trapper]

Guess what? There is a new section here on PERB called "Health Information". All threads like this should be posted in that section.

Cheers, BT