US Panel Urges Quick In-home HIV Test Approval

An over-the-counter version of a test that people can themselves do at home for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is in waiting, with a panel of experts urging US regulators to allow the test.

An over-the-counter version of a test that could allow people to test themselves at home for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is in waiting, with a panel of experts on Tuesday urging US regulators to allow the test.

The Blood Products Advisory Committee voted unanimously, 17-0, that the OraQuick In-Home Test was safe and effective and that any benefits outweighed the potential risks of use.

Lab Test for AIDS/HIV
Describes how screening for HIV is performed in a laboratory.

The US Food and Drug Administration does not have to follow the advice of the expert panel, thought it usually does.

The test, manufactured by the company OraSure, was approved by the FDA in 2004 for use by health professionals.

It requires a swab around the outer gum area and uses oral fluid to test for HIV, which is not the same as saliva.

Screening for HIV/AIDS Infection
Efficient screening and better drugs help reduce the prevalence of HIV infection. A number of tests like ELIZA & Western Blot are used for screening HIV.

Results come back in about 20 minutes, but should be confirmed by a blood test which is considered more accurate.

Close to 5,700 people took the in-home test according to company data presented to the advisory panel.

HIV/AIDS Risk Calculator
The HIV risk quiz helps you determine risk factors for HIV.

Of those, 114 people received positive tests, and 106 were confirmed to be true positives, meaning the test had a 93 percent accuracy rate for positive tests.

Negative results were accurate 99.8 percent of the time, the company said.

Quiz on HIV / AIDS
Statistics tell us that the world HIV+ population has risen drastically from 8 million in 1990 to a whopping 33 million in 2007! Even more alarming is the fact that young people (below the age of 25) account for half of these infections! This is adequate proof for the lack of awareness among the general public even in these modern times. So take our quiz and brush up on the essential facts of HIV/AIDS.

There are 10 questions on HIV / AIDS in this quiz that will explore the depth of your knowledge and provide answers to the following:

Immune control of HIV ()
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS ()
Cure for AIDS ()
Acute HIV syndrome ()
World AIDS day ()
Western blot ()

Source-AFP