At-Home HIV Tests

The purpose of at-home HIV testing is to quickly and easily determine if you may have HIV. If you get a positive result on an at-home HIV test, the CDC says you should get confirmatory testing in a medical laboratory as soon as possible.

How do at-home HIV tests work?

At-home HIV test include everything we need to collect a blood sample and send it back to a laboratory for testing. Our specialist will come with lancets to prick your finger and blood cards to collect the sample. We’ll send your sample to the laboratory for testing. In most cases, you’ll be notified within a few business days that your results are available.

Which at-home HIV test should you choose?

While most at-home HIV tests look for both antibodies and the p24 antigen, some tests also include physician follow-up or testing for additional STDs.

Types of HIV Tests

HIV tests use results from blood, urine, or oral fluid samples. Some tests are taken at-home while others are administered in a health care setting. There are three types of HIV tests available:

• Antibody test: The body produces antibodies after an HIV infection. It can take weeks to produce antibodies, so HIV antibody tests can only detect HIV from three to 12 weeks after infection.
• Antigen/antibody test: Foreign substances that activate an immune response, antigens appear before the body produces antibodies. So antigen/antibody tests can detect an HIV infection earlier than antibody tests, within two to four weeks of becoming infected.
• HIV viral load test: In addition to detecting an HIV infection, viral load testing can detect how much of the virus is in the blood. Although this type of testing can detect an HIV infection earlier than other HIV tests, it’s very expensive and is typically only used when someone has symptoms or a possible exposure to HIV.

Why Choose Cosmocare Medical Center?

At Cosmocare Medical Center, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, confidential HIV Testing Services in dubai. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals ensures that you receive accurate results and comprehensive care. We also offer at-home HIV Testing Services for your convenience and privacy.

Who should get testing?

Many people with STDs are asymptomatic or experience only mild symptoms of infection. Without testing, people infected with STDs may unknowingly spread the infection to others. STDs can lead to serious health complications, so appropriate STD screening and diagnosis is a major public health concern.

The goal of screening for STDs is to identify and treat people with infections before they develop complications and spread diseases to others. Additionally, screening attempts to identify, test, and treat the sexual partners of people diagnosed with STDs to prevent the continued spread of the infection.

While all sexually active people are at risk for STDs, not everyone needs to be screened for each STD. Screening focuses on people who are at a high risk of becoming infected due to factors such as age, gender, health history, number of sexual partners, and sexual behavior. Doctors can assess an individual’s personal risk factors and determine the most appropriate testing strategy. Below is a brief overview of common STD screening recommendations:

• Adults and adolescents: Everyone from ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once or more as needed based on risk level.
• Sexually active women: All sexually active women under 25 years old should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least every year. This recommendation also applies to women 25 years and older at an increased risk of STDs due to new or multiple sexual partners, or a partner who has been diagnosed with an STD.
• Pregnant women: During pregnancy, women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B. Pregnant women with additional risk factors should also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Sexually active gay and bisexual men: Men in this group should be tested at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those with multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently, such as every three or six months. This group may also benefit from more frequent HIV testing.
• Unsafe sex and injectable drug users: Anyone who shares injection drug equipment or has sex without protection such as a condom should be tested for HIV at least once a year.