Could Self-Testing Help Overcome AIDS Epidemic? HealthDay News
go to original April 12, 2013

HIV/AIDS awareness took a leap forward last year with the FDA approval of an easy oral, self-administered test that gives results in under a half-hour. It's raised hopes of reaching that 20 percent of the population who still don't know they are HIV-positive. (AFP)

Having people test themselves for HIV is effective and could help bring the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic under control, a new study contends.

The researchers explained that self-testing, combined with counseling, could improve rates of early detection and treatment, thereby reducing transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Self-testing for HIV is done at home by collecting samples from the gum lining of the mouth. The test is non-invasive, convenient, private and can provide results within 20 minutes, according to the study, which was published April 2 in the journal PLoS Medicine.

If the self-test indicates that a person has HIV, the results require confirmation at a medical clinic.

Read the rest at HealthDay News

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