In Home testing kit

Hi Doctor,

I recently purchased two in home testing kits in China, they website seemed legit and they were delivered to my home, costing about 20 dollars each. I pricked my finger and used both tests, and they both came up negative in 10 - 15 minutes. My question is how reliable are these? Even given the small percentage that they could provide a false answer wouldn't two tests be sufficient? Please check out the pictures of their kit and tell me if you think it looks legit. The last sexual contact was before I got married a year and a half ago. Thank you.

http://www.azb.net.cn/dir004/490.htm

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry.  I am not going to be much help to you here.  We do not look at pictures on this site. furthermore and even more importantly, I cannot comment on issues of quality control in China and know nothing of the manufacturing standards there.  Here in the U.S. and Western Europe the approval process is quite rigorous and the tests can be used with confidence.  I suspect and hope that similar standards are used in China but just do not know.   Sorry.  EWH

[HFan00]

Doctor then can you please comment on the accuracy of in home tests in general? (the type that you do not need to send a sample back to a lab via mail)

The type that provides a reading in 10 - 15 minutes at home.

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

In general the rapid test kits which are often used at home are almost as accurate as the lab based kits.  the difference is that the home kits have slightly more false positives.  they are just as sensitve as the regular, lab kits.  EWH

[centaur2010]

A related discussion, HIV HOME TEST KIT was started.