The home HIV test is reliable?

Dear Doctor, /Sorry for my English.../
I ordered a HIV hometest from the internet - MiraTes. The result: negative. I have read much about this test' reliablity on the internet. I'm still always worry. I was waiting for the 3 months window-period.
My question: What do you think about this test' reliablity? I will go to the hospital... I will have appointment for next week... I will have a "normal" test because I'm worry about the MiraTes' reliablity.
I'm curious for your opinion.
Thank you: Bildi

[Teak]

If you would like to have an answer from a doctor you'll need to post in their forum. The link is found in the related expert forums.

[niceperson2008]

I also had a test from Mirates and was negative at 8 weeks. One nurse from SOA aids organisation told me that Mirates HIV test is very reliable. But also suggested to do lab test to finish the worries. But the test is reliable if the result is negative ( after window period). Positive result must be varified in the lab.

[howsat]

whats soa ?are mirates reliable

[Teak]

Can't help you with that one. They are not approved in the US.

[howsat]

I read a post where you said they were just an elisa test,Im a little concerned as my ope finger touched the strip where the test line is and it was dismantled and open! The Dutch health inpsectorate said they couldnt confirm whether the product used real hiv so could you conversely get infected by one of these tests!

[Teak]

There is NO TEST the uses HIV. HIV does not stay active outside its host.

[howsat]

so why did the Dutch Health Inspectorate say this about Mirates  "Dear Madam/Sir,

As I wrote in my previous e-mail, it is highly unlikely that you get infected by a test. Mostly they use parts of the dead virus or antibodies which are a product of the immune system. However I am sorry to say that I cannot give you full reassurance, because this test does not comply with the European rules and we cannot assess how the test works or how and with what ingredients the test has been manufacturered."

[Teak]

Again there is not test that uses HIV in their tests.

[howsat]

I was thinking as I dsimantled test there may have been HIV kept in vacuum of the kit itself which was released when It became dismantled

[howsat]

I believe they are made in China...so who knows ?

[Teak]

I don't care where they are made at. There is no active HIV in any test.

[aak001]

I amnot the expert when it come to testing equipment but I wouldn't trust any kit that is not approved by FDA or any equevelant to it in Europe or Australia. by the way these rapid kits give so many false +ve's why would you want to go throw the emotional stress that come with that I have seen it so many times on this forum. Just go to hospital and get an ELISA test or order the Home Access Kit its approved by FDA and the results come from a Lab two day later I think if you live in the contenintal USA or 4 days if you live in Europe.

[howsat]

Can I get Home Acces if I live in UK ??

[howsat]

mirates even advertise on this site so they must be ok right

[aak001]

I am sure you can order it online we had somebody on this forum that order it I will try to find the post for you.

[aak001]

cheack this out.

http://www.medshopexpress.com/141.html

you can order it from this site.

[aak001]

I ahve no idea about "mirates" but I am sure that Home Acces is the only home kit that is approved by the FDA.

[howsat]

will they ship to UK

[Teak]

Home Access is a HIV collection kit. You put a drop on blood on the blotter send it into the lab and a few days later you call and get your results.

[howsat]

well Ive tested neagtive 3 times on the Mirates one should I go through the worry of doing it again

[Teak]

What was your risk and when did you test?

[howsat]

I had unprotected sex with a few women that was over three months ago when I have tested with the Mirates test.I have always waited three months before testing but now and in the past I have used the Mirates test

[aak001]

if you had unprotected vaginal or anal sex then you must test. I wish you the best :)

[howsat]

I did test with the Mirates it was negative

[aak001]

I am not sure how relaible is the kit you tested with it might be good it might be not I have no idea to be honest. I personally would go to hospital and have an ELISA test its the most relaible test you can have after the 3 months.

[howsat]

ok I have used this mirates  test kit many times ...it is advertised as a link on here sometimes

[aak001]

By whome is it approved? Is it approved by the authorities in the UK? if its approved in the UK then its OK in the UK. The only test I know of that is approved unevrsally and is accepted as the most accurate is the ELISA test that is done in hospital labs.

[howsat]

I thought Mirates was an elisa test

[aak001]

I told you i dont know about it I am not saying its not good or anything its just that you have to make sure that its approved by some reputable authority like the FDA or the minstry of Health in the UK. Home tests give high percentage of false +ve's thats why I dont like them I would always advise people to test in hiospital becuase then you are sure of the procedure and result. A home delevered test could be damaged or maybe not fuctional these things happen when they are shiped to you so why would you take that risk. The Home access kit the blood sample is analyzed in lab and thats why its approved by the FDA.

[howsat]

Ok its just Ive had 3 mirates tests all negative ,didnt want to have to go through it again

[aak001]

its up to you. If you feel that the test is relaible then stick with it. Its your choice and health at the end of the day not mine. Any way I wish you the best of health and luck and please Excuse me I have to leave the week end just started where i live :)

[howsat]

ok thanks for your help,whats teak say ?

[howsat]

as I said I have tested 3 times with mirates and they were negative and it was over 3months since I had unprotected sex with women when I had tests

[keane1977]

I wouldnt trust a home kit that people buy over the intermnet i bought a copoule and one of them gave me a false +ve I nearlly killed my self I rushed to hospital told my doctor about it he calmed me downb and order an ELISA test for me and i had to wait for 6 hours to get my results and thank God it was -ve and that was 130 days past the xposure. believe me you don't want to go through what i went through it was the lowest point in my life. Go to hospital and get the proper test hiv is not a joke you have to be 100% sure about your status.  

[howsat]

Ok well I tested 3 times negative on a mirates test and last time I had sex was 3 months ago

[howsat]

so should this be ok ?

[howsat]

do I need to retest or is this suficient

[howsat]

Teak said "What was your risk and when did you test? "

I had unprotected sex with women over 3 months ago but got tested with mirates and it was negative

[Teak]

Home testing kits are not approved in the US.

[howsat]

But I have read other posts where you say mirates is an elisa test and if someone has tested with that no further testing is required

[nursegirl6572]

I think you are looking for someone to tell you that your home tests were fine and that no further testing is needed...but unfortunately...posters here cannot tell you that.  When a home test is not "approved".....then it is not approved, period.  I'm sure there could be a chance that the results are reliable...but it it were MY health...I would go have an (ELISA) test at a clinic or hospital...it will be conclusive at this point.

Also...just b/c something is "advertised" doesn't mean it is reputable....if companies pay to advertise their product, then they get the ad time...it is pretty simple.

Just go test, and be sure to report your NEG results.  Good luck!

[howsat]

so you think they may just be unreliable or contain dangerous stuff

[nursegirl6572]

Your anxiety is causing you to think irrationally.....HIV tests do not contain the HIV virus...dead, alive or otherwise.  COME on now...think about that....think of the liability involved....not to mention all the worried wells clogging up the testing centers even more.

Your test might very well be perfectly reliable...but for your own peace of mind, you really should have a local blood test done.  

You most likely will be perfectly fine!

[romioss]

Hi.
I know this home kits. it used over 90 country includ uk au and nzland.but  it's only can be used in lab. so if you order an one step rapid kit ,it sure can give you a over 99.9% accurate results.
MiraTes is a uk company. it sell ukfda apporved kit.

i think you and me and everbody are all have two hand and two leg one head  two eyes. ^_*   so british is human   american is human  chinese is human.
yes  yes yes   we are human is the erath. same blood same face different color only.
this kit can be give you a accurate results thats all!

fda ufda cfda and other fda something.they are all appoved this one step kit(drop 3-4 blood, wait 10mins see one line or two line ). it is accurate rate same like elisa . but only can be used for lad . ok know you know that.

[Teak]

You don't know jack. Move on. You've been reported to MedHelp for trolling the forum.