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Oral Rapid Tests and Infection
Hello,
I have an odd question that I would greatly appreciate some insight too. I purchased an over the counter Orasure Oraquick HIV test. My results were negative but I was curious to see the make up of the test so I took it apart. I know that probably wasn't the best idea because now I'm concerned that I may have exposed myself to HIV because I read online the tests contain HIV antigen. I touched the membrane of the test but not in the "T" zone where the antigen are located. I have a couple of questions regarding the test.
1.) Do HIV test kits contain any infectious agents that could somehow infect someone with the virus if they took it apart and handled the membrane the way I have?
2.) What are antigens? and are they infectious?
I know I am probably just overreacting but when I read that there are HIV antigens in the test it has sent me into a panic :-(. Please, anyone feedback and information would be great!
I have an odd question that I would greatly appreciate some insight too. I purchased an over the counter Orasure Oraquick HIV test. My results were negative but I was curious to see the make up of the test so I took it apart. I know that probably wasn't the best idea because now I'm concerned that I may have exposed myself to HIV because I read online the tests contain HIV antigen. I touched the membrane of the test but not in the "T" zone where the antigen are located. I have a couple of questions regarding the test.
1.) Do HIV test kits contain any infectious agents that could somehow infect someone with the virus if they took it apart and handled the membrane the way I have?
2.) What are antigens? and are they infectious?
I know I am probably just overreacting but when I read that there are HIV antigens in the test it has sent me into a panic :-(. Please, anyone feedback and information would be great!
Proteins are just that, they are proteins that the antibodies attach to on the test strip. Nothing in the kits are infectious.
What are you talking about?There is nothing in the test that is infectious--the test looks for antibodies to the virus not the virus itself.I don't know where you are getting your information from but it's wrong.
Hi teak! Sorry to bother you but I have another question about the rapid tests. You said that nothing was infectious in the test kit, does that include the protein A and other proteins used in the test as well? I'm sorry to ask, I'm just really worried. Thanks!
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