Safescreen Home Test Kits

Asking for a HIV test can take courage, and many people do not want to seek diagnosis because of concerns about their medical records and privacy. It is documented that most individuals delay testing for HIV for many months and even years, leading to added anxiety and further complications.

The importance of a home HIV testing kit can be encapsulated in a pretty straightforward fact. If a test is not performed and the HIV status is not known, the virus could lead to AIDS. On the other hand, if the infection is diagnosed in the early stages and the correct medical treatment is effectively used, this can prevent any serious ailments manifesting. It is a matter of being aware and this is why HIV home testing kits are advantageous. A home HIV test can be carried out in the comfort of your home, conveniently and privately.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the precursor to full blown AIDS.  Fortunately, HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. The majority of people who are infected with HIV lead normal lives, providing that they have access to and take the necessary HIV drugs and treatment for HIV & Aids. The first step is knowing your HIV status.

HIV Test & Risk

Anyone sexually active who has not undertaken a HIV test could be exposed to the HIV virus or any sexually transmitted disease. You could be unwittingly infecting a partner or if your partner has not tested negative, they might be infecting you. If you think you might be in the HIV risk group and want to test for HIV in private SafeScreen’s HIV test can easily be performed and gives accurate results in less than 10 minutes. 

HIV statistics state that over 40 million people are infected with HIV and Aids worldwide: of which 1 in 3 is unaware that they are infected. In the UK HIV statistics are 80,000 infected.

If your lifestyle choices, or those of your partner, put you in a high risk group for HIV, a HIV test is a sensible precaution.  Some questions that should be addressed are; trusting partners past sexual relationships and drug use? Have you ever been lied to in a past relationship? If a partner is unwilling to be tested perhaps you should ask why?

HIV Facts and Fiction

Knowing your HIV status is very important. If you have had any of the following, you should consider using a home HIV testing kit:

• Unprotected vaginal sex
• Unprotected anal sex
• Unprotected oral sex
• Shared hypodermic needles
• Had a tattoo or piercing in a shop or home that is uncertified
• Have had a blood transfusion in a developing country that does not have an effective HIV blood screening service in place
• Had your blood or other body fluids come into direct contact with someone whom you know has the virus

Testing for HIV antibodies is the only way to know whether you have been infected; however, the HIV antibody test only works after the infected person's immune system develops antibodies to HIV.  During this "window period" between the initial infection and the period in which antibodies are detectable standard HIV testing is ineffective.  The “window period” can be from 2 weeks to 6 months, but is usually 3 months.
 
It is important to remember that HIV is NOT transmitted through:

• Saliva, tears, sweat, feces or urine
• Hugging
• Kissing
• Massage
• Shaking hands
• Insect bites
• Living in the same house with someone who has HIV
• Sharing showers or toilets with someone with HIV

What is HIV & AIDS?

HIV is not the same as AIDS.  The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks and slowly destroys a person's immune system.  HIV thereby reduces a person's ability to fight infection and cancers.  AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  AIDS is not a single condition but a term used when a person infected with HIV starts to get one or more specific illness(es) that the immune system can no longer defend against. The word “AIDS” is now very rarely used.  It’s more usual to talk of late-stage or advanced HIV infection.

Symptoms of HIV & AIDS

Not everyone who becomes infected with HIV will show the initial signs of HIV exposure and so this cannot be relied upon as a form of diagnosis.  On average, it takes 10 years before the symptoms of HIV appear and alert an individual to their status, that is, that no outward signs of HIV will appear for 10 years. During this time frame many people may also become infected unless an individual knows their status. 

Some people initially exposed to HIV experience very clear symptoms, however many experience none at all.  The early signs of HIV infection from initial exposure may include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat

As the early signs of HIV mimic a mild flu, they are not a reliable way to diagnose exposure.  These first signs of HIV can occur within days or weeks of the initial exposure to the virus during a period called primary or acute HIV infection. Once the primary or acute infection is over, most people may not experience any visible symptoms for another 10 years.  Left untreated, the immune system becomes increasingly weaker and the disease progresses to the late stages of HIV or AIDS as is sometimes referred to. The late stage of HIV or “phase” for victims is called "opportunistic infections" that target individuals with conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis.

As HIV weakens the body's ability to fight off infection, so the body's defenses weaken; the following symptoms of HIV infection may become evident:

• Weight loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Skin rashes, especially on your face, genitals or anus
• An increase in herpes ulcers or thrush infections in your mouth and genitals
• Sweats, especially at night
• Unusual tiredness
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph glands in the neck, groin or armpits.

If you experience some or all of these symptoms regularly, it's probably a good idea to conduct a home HIV test, but it goes without saying that many other conditions cause these symptoms too, so you should not panic.

HIV testing kit

HIV testing is now becoming more easily available through drop in clinics and “point of care “ tests which can be carried out in the privacy of the home environment. Every SafeScreen HIV test kit is packaged individually and is fully compliant with ISO9001, ISO 9002, GMP and CE certification.

To perform a HIV test a sample of blood is obtained from a thumb or finger prick. The test accuracy is 99.9% from 12 weeks post exposure (when antibodies have reached detectable levels) and result can be read within 10 minutes.

A HIV test will accurately detect HIV antigens in a drop of blood.  Antigens will only show up in your blood 3 months after the initial point of infection and remain fairly constant throughout the remainder of infection.  For this reason you cannot test for HIV straight after becoming infected.  This delay is called the 'window period'.  A test done before the 'window period' is not reliable because the test may find no antibodies - so you will appear free of HIV - even though the reality is that you have been infected (and could pass HIV on to others).

HIV test kit ordering

Orders received before 4.15pm are dispatched using Royal Mail 1st Class or Next Day Delivery services as required.   All orders are delivered with the strictest privacy. There is no branding on any delivery.  All home HIV test kits will be delivered in a PLAIN box inside a PLAIN jiffy bag.

About HIV tests

Home HIV testing kits are very reliable and are 99.9% accurate.  Rapid in-vitro diagnostic testing for HIV has been in use since the early 80’s, and this form of testing is still carried out in laboratories and clinics worldwide.  Traditional, the way to test for HIV was to visit a clinic where someone would take a sample of blood and test for HIV antibodies using a rapid point of care test.  These tests are exactly the same as a home HIV test kit sold by SafeScreen™.  The only difference between a rapid point of care test administered privately and a test taken at a clinic is the care received.  Whether you receive counseling with another form of testing depends a lot on where the test is given.  If you are offered the test in an emergency room of a hospital, for instance, the staff may not have the time or training to give you much counseling.  Or if you have considered using a service where you send away your sample by post and then receive a text message or a 10 minute phone call the results are still the same.

HIV Prevention

There are ways to minimise your risks of catching HIV from infected people, these simple changes that can make a big difference:

• Always wear and insist on using a condom and practice safe sex.
• Carry on using condoms until you and your partner are confirmed HIV free.
• If you are an intravenous drug user always insist on using clean needles and never share your equipment.
• Never feel pressured into NOT using a condom with a new partner; ask yourself is it worth the risk, not just from HIV but other infections?
• Try not to let a situation arise where you could be without protection, always carry a condom.

To avoid catching HIV, you must prevent fluids from someone who is infected with HIV from entering your body. Compared to other viruses, HIV transmission is not easy. The body fluids known as potential vectors for HIV infection include:

• Blood 
• Menstrual blood
• Semen and possibly pre-seminal fluid
• Vaginal secretions
• Breast milk

Other ways that HIV can be transmitted are:

• Home tattooing and body piercing or breaks in your skin
• Accidental needle sticks (clinical situations)
• Blood transfusions
• Childbirth (mother to child)

HIV Test Results

Finding out that you have HIV can be overwhelming and terrifying, but remember that you can get lots of help to deal with the situation.  There are some things that you need to know about being infected with HIV:

• You are not alone There are over 80,000 people living with HIV at the moment in the UK and you probably already know at least one other infected person
• A positive HIV test does not equal death; contracting HIV does not mean you are going to die of AIDS
• It does not mean you are automatically going to get AIDS

The most important things you can do right now are:

• See your Doctor or Health care provider ASAP
• Ask for help
• Contact one of the support organisations listed here.

If you have a test after the window period and no HIV antibodies are found, the result is said to be negative and you're almost certain not to have HIV. If the test reveals that you have HIV antigens in your blood, you should make an appointment immediately with your doctor to confirm these results with further blood tests.

HIV Treatment & Prognosis

HIV is NOT AIDS. Although there is no cure for HIV at present research is on-going. HIV treatments for the virus can be very effective.  If a HIV test is positive and an individual seeks help promptly once diagnosed, most people go on to lead normal and fulfilling lives.  A positive HIV test is no longer the death sentence it once was.

Advice on how to reduce the risk of infecting others close to you is very important for HIV carriers. Your or other health care provider can explain the best options for treatment, lifestyle changes, and will discuss ways to minimise the impact that HIV has on your body.

Useful Links

Terence Higgins Trust : The UK’s most respected and trusted HIV site http://www.tht.org.uk/

National AIDS Trust: A UK trust for information and support  http://www.nat.org.uk/

Positive Singles: The largest dating site for STD singles and friends in the world. http://www.positivesingles.com/?tid=af20005641

Disclaimer, Precautions and Limitations

While we work to ensure that product information is correct, on occasion manufacturers of home test kits may alter their products slightly.  The actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our Web site.  We recommend that you rely on the information that accompanies the test and pay particular attention to warnings and directions before using a product.  A home HIV test kit is for professional use only. 

All SafeScreen home test kits are intended for initial indication purposes only and (although very accurate) should not be construed to be conclusive of a specific diagnosis.  Further testing and consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary to confirm the presence of a specific disease or health condition.  No single test is absolutely accurate.  This is why healthcare professionals in order to evaluate your condition and propose appropriate treatment will always perform confirmatory testing and/or other procedures.

The content provided on this site is for indicative purposes only.  It is not intended to replace advice given by a medical practitioner, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional.  Information and statements herein are not intended to be used to self-diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.  You are strongly advised to contact your health-care provider immediately, if you suspect that you have a medical problem.
Links to external sites are provided for information only; they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.  Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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