Home Testing

[virgogrl]

Dr. - I've checked the archives and can't seem to find a clear answer to my question and am hoping you can help.  I hope this response will help me along with others on this board.  I want to know what the testing time is for a first generation Home Access test.  You state that "modern day" HIV tests will give you an accurate response within 3-4 weeks and virtually 100% by 6 weeks.  Since the Home Access is not a "modern day" HIV test and a first generation (this has been verified) what is the testing time?  Is 6 weeks a good enough time period that I will feel comfortable with the results?  Of course Home Access and the CDC are still sticking with the 3 month mark but what is your opinion?  It's really rough to wait 3 months to test but it may be worse to test at 6 weeks and not get an accurate result.  Your response is greatly appreciated.

Just as a side note, an HIV Q&A on this site like the HSV one would be great.  Also, the search function does not work very well, if you type in home access it shows no results yet I've seen several posts that comment on that test, maybe I am doing something wrong.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I don't know exactly what technology Home Access now uses--but my guess is they use the latest, "4th generation" tests.  (Why would they want to use any but the best test available?)  But even the earlier tests in use as long as 20 years ago usually became positive within 3-4 weeks of infection and almost always within 3 months; there were more exceptions then than now, but they were always uncommon.  But at present, I'm pretty sure you can rely on a negative Home Access test at 6 weeks--but they may never say that, will stick with 3 months for more absolute protection against lawsuits.

Thanks for the FAQ idea; maybe someday.  We also need one on HPV infection.  I believe MedHelp's search function looks for words in the titles of threads and in keywords that the content experts (for this forum, that's me) pick based on content.  There haven't been very many tests specifically about Home Access; but you'll find a wealth of information under "HIV testing".

Regards--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

OK. I'm a little surprised and don't know why they wouldn't have moved to newer test methods.  I guess the only other question is whether you spoke with someone who really knows.

HHH, MD

[virgogrl]

Dr - Just for clarification, I called Home Access and they are using first generation not fourth which is why I posted my question and have concerns.

[virgogrl]

I just saw this on another website, I should of looked there before posting, sorry!  Just thought I would post, I'm not sure of the accuracy but seems to make sense.  Response from Home Access when asked why they still used first generation.

"yes, there are reasons. The newer ELISA test are more sensitive: it means that they can test positive 5 days earlier then the first generation. But this advantage is lost when the sample is confirmed by the second supplemental test, Western Blot or IFA, which are even less sensitive or have the same sensitivity as than the first ELISA generation. Furthermore, this difference counts only in the first month after infection. After this there is no difference between the tests. So, there is no advantage to switch.

On the other hand, the first generation is better to pick up different subtypes of HIV-1 because it's the viral lysates rather than selected recombinant proteins. Furthermore, it picks up up to 80% of HIV-2 positive samples as well for the same reason"