Should individuals be allowed to test for HIV at home?
Before I discuss the topic, let me start by stating the following assumptions about the HIV testing environment.
Assumption 1. “The ‘majority’ of individuals being treated for HIV in the developed world, were infected by an individual who did NOT know they were HIV +.”
Assumption 2. “Most likely, that HIV+ individual would have been aware that at some stage they had potentially been exposed to HIV. Yet they had chosen for some personal reason not to test.”
Assumption 3. “Most individuals worried about exposure who delay testing, do so because they feel embarrassed discussing it with their doctor or they consider testing to be a low priority”.
This is basically the “it’s probably nothing”, “I’ll do that later”, “I don’t know where to get tested for HIV” or “they seemed low risk to me” syndrome. Sadly it can lead to that person, being HIV+ and status unknown.
So…to the subject of this blog. Advances in medical testing technology have allowed for the production of extremely accurate and easy to use HIV self testing devices for use at home. These HIV self test kits can be easily purchased online. They provide individuals with the ability to test for HIV at home, in privacy and with convenience. But without counselling and supervision. Should this be permitted?
Assuming that we all are aware of the benefits of HIV testing for anyone concerned about exposure, I will get directly to the debate regarding an individuals choice to self test as opposed to requiring the assistance of a medical professional.
Our company has been selling quality HIV self-test kits now for over 2 years and as such we have gained some insight into the market for this product. Additionally we have been involved in the self-test debate and in evaluating both sides of this argument. We have encountered strong resistance from some assisted testing providers and strong support from others and from many individuals seeking an alternate testing option.
Obviously our company HeadStartTesting.com believes in the individuals rights to self-test. But why?
There are several valid reasons why to self-test and just as many reasons why to test with medical assistance. Most certainly if you are confused by the process of self-testing, worried about coping emotionally with the result, or if you can’t answer either of these questions, then medically assisted testing is for you. You should consult your doctor or testing center and be tested for HIV as soon as possible. But what if you do understand the testing procedure? After all its very simple. What if you are able to cope in the short-term with the result. As regardless of your testing method, either way a + result will require follow up medical attention and with that will come counselling (if you personally desire it). Surely then you have the right to test for HIV in privacy (if privacy is of concern to you) and with convenience (if you are putting off testing as a result). Those against self testing will argue it is not accurate, but they are wrong. The same technology is now widely used in medical testing facilities. If the simple to follow test is not carried out correctly it will give a failed test indication, not a false positive or a false negative.
An interesting and valid argument though point is the misuse of an HIV negative test result. An individual could show a negative HIV test result to a future sex-partner to justify unprotected sex. Of course this is unethical and of course dangerous. But this applies to any test result, from any testing method, including your blood results from your doctor. The test result itself is unable to validate any recent exposure that would not be detected when it is within the window period for anti-body production. The argument is about the individual, not the testing method. An individual planning to misuse or misrepresent a negative test result is just as likely to do that with any test result , regardless of how is was acquired.
Another point made is that HIV self-testing leaves the individual without important emotional support. And in this matter they are right, in the short term at least. HIV Counselling is a serious matter. For some it is not wanted or needed, in fact privacy would be their preference, but for others counselling is essential.
So….Remembering assumption 1, 2 and 3 please. Bottom line is people don’t test when they should. They delay and it is those individuals who infect.
When looking at whether their is a place in the HIV community for HIV self test kits, the key question for us is this.
Assuming that individual knows they have been potentially exposed to HIV and like the individual in the assumption above, they are not testing through their doctor and they are considering an HIV self-test. Would you or they for that matter rather:
a) They find out they are HIV+ but without immediate emotional support, emotional support that will follow shortly afterwards anyhow.
or
b) They continue normal life, not knowing they are HIV+ and simply “thinking” that some day, they should really get tested. This leads to forgoing early treatment and ongoing infection of others.
Our logic points to the reality that many of those infected with HIV today in the developed world, were infected by those who took option B. What is needed is a solution that will counter the assumptions made in the opening of this blog. A tool that will reduce by whatever % possible the individuals who know they are at risk but who don’t seek out medically assisted testing. Anything is better than the HIV+ individual remaining status unknown.
HIV Home Test Kits as available from Head Start Testing are just one part of the fight to increase HIV testing in the community.
What are your thoughts.
Have you ever delayed testing for any reason? Possibly you have used a self-test kit from a site like HeadStartTesting.com and have feedback about your experience.
hivtestingchoices 
