In-Home HIV tests hit local store shelves
By: Stephanie Claytor
Updated: January 21, 2013
If you're
afraid to go to the hospital to take an HIV test, you can now take the test at
home. OraQuick is an in-home HIV test. It's sold locally at CVS and Walgreens.
It costs around $40. It is for people 17 years old and older.
It's an
oral swab test that gives results in 20 minutes. Each test kit can only be used
once.
Eric Evans,
an advocate with the Philadelphia Center, said OraQuick is the same test staff
at the center use. The Philadelphia Center offers the test for free but because
of state cutbacks, they're only allotted 200 per quarter. Right now, they've administered
so many that they can only offer the test on an appointment-only basis.
Evans said
it's important that people read the instructions before using the test. For
instance, you cannot eat, drink, or use oral products like mouthwash within 30
minutes of taking the test.
"If you don't do
it right, you're not going to get the right answer," said Eric Evans. "So if you buy this test, buy it, and take it
home, and make sure to follow the instructions exactly as they are in the
insert. "
According
to the test kit, it's only effective if you take it at least three months after
having unprotected sex. If you get a negative result, you'll have to take the
test again after waiting another three months just to
If you have
any questions regarding the test, you can call the Philadelphia Center for help.
It is located at 2020 Centenary Blvd in Shreveport. Its number is (318)
222-6633.
