HIV Self-Test Proves Accurate

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Likelihood of False Positives if...

I want to get you input regarding the effectiveness of oral testing for HIV. Recently I went to a nearby medical center to get tested and learned that I had tested positive for the anti-virus. However, I want to know what are the chances of it being "false positive" if one had rinse their mouth with salt water prior to testing?
Lately I've been rinsing my mouth with salt because I've been trying to get rid of this cyst the has mysteriously grown on the palate of my mouth. I've had it for approx 3 months now and it still persists. I've been wanting to carterize it myself...but...to smart to act otherwise.
Thinking it had to do with some gum disease I decided to visit a dentist and they confirmed that it was most likely due to a vascular problem which has yet to be diagnosed.
One week later I decided to go the the local medical center and perform the oral HIV test and to my unfortunate break...i tested positive.
However, I'm not too convinced that it was accurate having rinsed my mouth with a high content of salt water to keep gums from bleeding due to bad case of gum disease which is now under treatment.
What are your thoughts....
I'm looking to get retested in the morning and hope the results were indeed false.
Sincerely yours,

LCMunoz of CA @ Nov 12, 2009 21:30:04 PM

Premature conclusions

Given that only two out of 402 were positive (0.5%), the statistic that claims up to 13% of patients are positive, seems rather grossly exaggerated. One would have to test many more patients before making conclusions applicable to the general public.
IF this test is proven reliable and accurate, one must also address issues around education. HIV testing mandates education about the test. This education prepares the patient both intellectually and emotionally for results. Testing in the absence of such support might lead to some disastrous consequences.
However, I hope this test proves reliable, and is affordable.

Dr.Friesen from Canada @ Nov 09, 2009 11:46:25 AM

Premature conclusions

Given that only two out of 402 were positive (0.5%), the statistic that claims up to 13% of patients are positive, seems rather grossly exagger

of @ Nov 09, 2009 11:46:25 AM

It's about time!

Coercion and power imbalance issues at home and at work are legion, but they are a separate issue - forced testing is just one instance of abuse. It is the individual's duty to society and themselves to seek help outside of abusive relationships rather than to pander to abusers. Unfortunately many door-mat personalities are the last to stick up for themselves, and in some cases the abused have few if any resources to fall back on. Then again the abused never really had any resources in the first place if s/he could not control them.
Home HIV tests will allow individuals to sero-sort themselves better and know sooner if their risk-taking (or in a tiny minority of cases, accident) has resulted in infection. The 3-6 month incubation period is still a problem, but it is better than waiting yet longer to access the fact. This would shine a little light on the problematic shots in the dark! Being forced NOT to get an HIV test is arguably worse than being forced to get one, not that I would ever advocate either!

Leif Harmsen of AL @ Nov 02, 2009 15:15:36 PM

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HIV Self-Test Proves Accurate

Likelihood of False Positives if...

Premature conclusions

Premature conclusions

It's about time!

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