HIV HOME TEST?

A Home Test for HIV: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
CBC Viewpoint
Maureen Taylor
is the National Health/Medical Reporter for CBC Television News

Diabetics test their own blood glucose levels.
Women test themselves for pregnancy.
Is our HIV status next?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to
allow the sale of the first rapid home HIV test. This would make HIV
testing as easy as home pregnancy testing. This home test has been
controversial for almost two decades. In this case, the issue is not
accuracy. The OraQuick Advance test is already available in health
clinics and doctors’ offices throughout the United States. The FDA
accepts its accuracy as greater than 99 per cent. The issue now is,
as it has been, whether the diagnosis of the virus that causes AIDS
is too devastating to be done in isolation.
Both health officials and AIDS advocates have long contended that
testing for HIV/AIDS must be accompanied by professional
counseling and support. They worry that if people learned of their
positive status on their own, they might even consider suicide. New
anti-retroviral medicines have alleviated some of those concerns.
HIV is now considered a chronic disease that can often be managed
for years. And yet the Public Health Agency of Canada estimates
that roughly 30 per cent of people infected with HIV don't know their
status because they don't get tested. More importantly, the number
of new infections is still alarmingly high. The most recent statistics in
Canada show that in 2002, there were an estimated 2,800 to 5,200 new
HIV infections. That's about the same as in 1999. In the United States,
health officials are becoming more open to new strategies that might
encourage those at risk to change their behavior and avoid infecting
others. A home HIV test kit, at least in the states, is an idea whose time
may have come. The Canadian landscape, however, may be different.
While researching this story for The National, I was surprised that I
could not find a single health-care worker or AIDS advocate in
Canada who saw a need for a home test kit. Dr. Philip Berger, who
operates HIV clinics in Toronto and Lesotho, Africa, has several
concerns about home testing. He says although the diagnosis of
HIV is no longer a death sentence, it is still a disease that can be
catastrophic for many people. He points out that the diagnosis
means people are suddenly wedded to the health-care system, and
it's important they understand what they need to do to stay healthy.
Jane Greer, a counselor at the Hassle Free clinic in Toronto, adds
that counseling even for those who test negative is critical. Clients
are encouraged to avoid risky behavior such as unprotected sex so
that they remain negative. This is an opportunity that would be lost
with a home test kit. Berger also worries public health officials would
lose track of the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS if consumers tested
themselves at home. Currently, new cases must be reported to public
health authorities, although many provinces allow patients to remain
anonymous.
In fact, Berger points to anonymous testing as a wonderful option
that has encouraged many of those at risk for HIV to come forward
for testing. Terje Anderson of the U.S.-based National Association
of People with AIDS shares many of Berger's concerns, but says it's
clear some people avoid testing, and the time has come to remove
all the barriers for them. Unfortunately, one barrier that may not be
removed with this test is cost. The company that makes the kit has
not determined what it might charge for an over-the-counter version.
Where I did find support for a home HIV test was in Canada's gay
and bisexual community. Gay men point out that they test themselves
often, sometimes every six months. They have already received
counseling about risk reduction, and many find the testing at clinics
and doctors’ offices time-consuming and patronizing. If it does decide
to approve the HIV home test, the FDA is sure to demand the company
enclose a comprehensive education package and toll-free number people
can call for counseling.
link:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_taylor/20051104.html


In my opinion I think this test should be allowed BUT
a note saying "these results may not be accurate, Please contact
a doctor and counsellor" Reason being, a trace is not full blown
AIDS. We also need ads on TV explaining this hometest etc.
The above opinion in blue is only mine. Fell free to add your
opinions in the comments.