flabergasted

I was applying for disability insurance this morning at work.  I am a 51 year old female who has been married for 23 years.  At the end of the application the insurance lady said she had to do a swab.  When I asked what for she said for hiv and signs of tobacco.  Can they really do both from same swab?  Won't it dry out before it gets to wherever she has to send it?  How long before I know these results?  I am a little concerned about this mode of testing it just doesn't sound right to me.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. I'll try to help.

You do not mention where the swab was taken from. There are now very good, reliable tests that can test for HIV on swabs taken from the mouth, along the gum line.  I am not aware of a swab that would test for both at the same time.  Sounds a bit confused to me but I also know that sometimes the folks doing these insurance physicals know little about what tests they are doing or why.  

As far as the results are concerned, it may surprise you to find out that sometimes insurance companies will not let people know what their tests have shown. My advice would be to call the company and find out both precisely what tests were done and let them know you'd like to hear the results.  EWH