HIV HOME TEST KIT

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last July 3, 2012 that is has approved the first over the counter HIV test kit that allows Americans to test, in the privacy of their own homes, whether they are infected with HIV.

The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test detects the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2).

It is the first rapid diagnostic test for any infectious disease that the FDA has approved for sale over the counter.

The kit, from OraSure Technologies of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is an over the counter version of a test used by trained technicians in clinical settings that the FDA approved in 2004.

The user takes an oral swab, and places it in a specially prepared vial that comes with the kit. The result is ready in 20 to 40 minutes.

The kit is not as reliable as getting tested by a trained clinician.

A positive result does not necessarily mean that the user is definitely infected with HIV, but that they should then go and get themselves tested in a medical setting to confirm the result.

Similarly, a negative result does not necessarily mean the user is definitely not infected: particularly if they are still in the so called "WINDOW PERIOD" wherein they are infected with the virus within the first 3months.

The idea is not for the home test kit to replace medical testing, but to provide another route for people to find out their HIV status.

As per Department of Health here in the Philippines they disagree with this kind of option.

I do agree with what they have to say.

As per RA 8504

ARTICLE III

Testing, Screening and Counseling

SEC. 19.   Accreditation of HIV Testing Centers – All testing centers, hospitals, clinics, and laboratories offering HIV testing services are mandated to seek accreditation from the Department of Health which shall set and maintain reasonable accreditation standards.

SEC. 20.   Pre-test and Post-test Counseling – All testing centers, clinics, or laboratories which perform any HIV test shall be required to provide and conduct free pre-test counselling and post-test counseling for persons who avail of their HIV/AIDS testing services. However, such counseling services must be provided only by persons who meet the standards set by the DOH.

SEC. 21.   Support for HIV Testing Centers – The Department of Health shall strategically build and enhance the capabilities for HIV testing of hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and other testing centers primarily, by ensuring the training of competent personnel who will provide such services in said testing sites.

ARTICLE VII
Discriminatory Acts and Policies
SEC. 42.   Penalties for Discriminatory Acts and Policies – All discriminatory acts and policies referred to this Act shall be punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) months to four (4) years and a fine not exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). In addition, licenses/permits of schools, hospitals and other institutions found guilty for committing discriminatory acts and policies described in this Act shall be revoked.

A disadvantage of choosing a home kit for HIV testing is that a doctor not only will be unable to help individuals understand the results, but that individuals will also be unable to seek counseling as easily. Counseling can help individuals prepare for a test, gain understanding, and teach them how to cope after they have been given their results. Post-test counseling is beneficial as not only will an individual learn about living with the virus, but he or she will have support through a counselor if there is no other location that he or she can obtain support from. In addition, post-test counseling can help prevent further individuals from being infected.  

Also the availability of Services, Support Groups and other Organizations that could help out the person are there but what is the use if the person is not aware of it.

Again this is JaKe Positive! BE SAFE! +)

TRUVADA as a PrEP

The ever controversial ARV medication TRUVADA has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people who are at risk of catching HIV.

What TRUVADA looks like

 Tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada) a product of Gilead Sciences, is a fixed-dose combination of two antiretroviral drugs used for the treatment of HIV. It consists of 300 milligrams of tenofovir and 200 milligrams of emtricitabine. By combining the two agents into one tablet, it reduces the pill burden and increases compliance with antiretroviral therapy.

The drug has been examined for use as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV infection. A Cochrane review found that both tenofovir alone, as well as the tenofovir/emtricitabine combination, significantly decreased the risk of contracting HIV. The Food and Drug Administration approved it for prophylactic use on July 16, 2012. Truvada was developed by Gilead Sciences and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2004.

In certain studies, the drug has demonstrated rare side effects including: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite and diarrhea, liver and kidney toxicity and loss of bone density.

HOWEVER there are drawbacks to this kind of medication.
Since it is an ARV the drug needs to be taken at a specific time of the day.
This would encourage unsafe sex practices since they would be relying on the drug.
This drugs is expensive and the government might not have enough budget to purchase it.
This drug can pose serious side effects and considering it is given to healthy individuals.

IN THE END, 

PREVENTION IS STILL BETTER THAN CURE

Healthcare Workers can provide options for the people who want to access the drug but also they need to remind them that still the safe way to avoid HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infection is to avoid doing risky behaviors and follow the ABC's of PREVENTION.

Abstinence

Be faithful / Mutual Monogamous Relationship between non-infected partners

Correct & Consistent Condom Use 

Don’t use shared needles or syringes / abuse drugs and alcohol 

Education / Early Detection & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Again This is JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)



SOURCE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenofovir/emtricitabine