AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease that limits the body's ability to fight infection. A person with AIDS has a very weak immune system, turning normally mild or rare diseases into potentially fatal conditions.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.
Only with a blood test. A person can be HIV-infected for many years while looking and feeling healthy, with no signs at all of being sick.
Anyone can become infected with HIV. HIV is transmitted sexually, through drug use by contaminated needles and during pregnancy from an infected mother to her unborn child. HIV can also be transmitted by breast feeding.
Unprotected sex with someone who is infected or sharing a needle or syringe with someone who is infected.
Sex without a latex condom or other barrier methods. HIV is found in semen, vaginal fluids and blood. HIV can enter the body through any type of sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Injecting drugs using a needle that has been used by someone else is risky because it can contain infected blood from that person. Any drug use, including alcohol, affects judgment and can contribute to exposure to HIV infection
The best way to reduce risk is to always use a latex condom correctly for all sexual intercourse. Quitting is the best prevention if you are using injectable drugs. But if that isn't an option, then people should always use a sterile needle to inject drugs and never use somebody else's equipment.
A pregnant women can help prevent or dramatically reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to an unborn child through specifically prescribed drug treatments during pregnancy. As a measure of protection, it is especially important for pregnant women to be tested for HIV as soon as possible then, if necessary, seek assistance with a physician experienced in treating HIV/AIDS.
The human body makes antibodies to fight all kinds of infection. If you become infected with HIV, your body creates HIV antibodies. Just like doctors' offices and clinics, Home Access tests your blood for HIV antibodies.
It means a laboratory could not confirm the presence of HIV-1 antibodies in a particular blood sample. It could mean that an individual may be in the process of converting from being negative to being positive. It could also be due to other medical factors. In either case, it is recommended that the individual be re-tested.
An insufficient result refers specifically to the Home Access® HIV Test system. It means that HIV-1 antibody testing could not be performed on the blood sample that was sent to the laboratory. This happens most often because there was not enough blood to test. If you use Home Access HIV testing, make sure you follow all printed instructions regarding the collection of a blood sample.
Home Access' HIV tests are doctor recommended and designed to provide you with a scientific test result that you can trust. Home Access' HIV tests use the same tests run by doctors and hospitals and is clinically proven to be greater than 99.9% accurate. Data from our Phase III clinical trials have been published in the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 157, 2/10/97). You can request to receive a free reprint of this study.
Our entire service has been scientifically reviewed for safety and effectiveness by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA granted Home Access Health nationwide clearance to market its service on July 22, 1996. The Home Access at-home telemedicine HIV counseling and testing service is the ONLY such service available in the United States approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the past, FDA has warned consumers against purchasing or using any HIV testing service (especially over the internet) that has not been FDA approved.
Generally speaking, there are a number of reasons that prompt a person to take an HIV test. Whether it is: entering a new relationship, switching birth control, reassurance for a healthy pregnancy or concern you may have been exposed to HIV through unprotected sex--getting tested for HIV can help foster peace of mind, regardless of your test result. And, if you are concerned about testing positive for HIV, it is important to recognize that today more than ever before, there is new medical treatment that is helping thousands of people infected with HIV lead healthier, active lives.
In most infected people, the antibodies will show up in the blood within six weeks to 3 months. But in some people, it might take up to six months. This is important because the test cannot detect recent infections. For example, if you became infected in January, you may not test positive until June.
It means that HIV-1 antibodies were not found by a laboratory in a particular blood sample.
Yes, because it takes some time for your body to produce HIV antibodies, there is a period of time when recent infections may not be detected.
It means that HIV-1 antibodies were found by the laboratory in a particular blood sample and the individual providing that sample is infected. That individual is capable of passing the virus to someone else.
It means a laboratory could not confirm the presence of HIV-1 antibodies in a particular blood sample. It could mean that an individual may be in the process of converting from being negative to being positive. It could also be due to other medical factors. In either case, it is recommended that the individual be re-tested.
An insufficient result refers specifically to the Home Access® HIV Test system. It means that HIV-1 antibody testing could not be performed on the blood sample that was sent to the laboratory. This happens most often because there was not enough blood to test. If you use Home Access HIV testing, make sure you follow all printed instructions regarding the collection of a blood sample.
Home Access' HIV tests are doctor recommended and designed to provide you with a scientific test result that you can trust. Home Access' HIV tests use the same tests run by doctors and hospitals and is clinically proven to be greater than 99.9% accurate. Data from our Phase III clinical trials have been published in the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 157, 2/10/97). You can request to receive a free reprint of this study.
Our entire service has been scientifically reviewed for safety and effectiveness by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA granted Home Access Health nationwide clearance to market its service on July 22, 1996. The Home Access at-home telemedicine HIV counseling and testing service is the ONLY such service available in the United States approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the past, FDA has warned consumers against purchasing or using any HIV testing service (especially over the internet) that has not been FDA approved.
Generally speaking, there are a number of reasons that prompt a person to take an HIV test. Whether it is: entering a new relationship, switching birth control, reassurance for a healthy pregnancy or concern you may have been exposed to HIV through unprotected sex--getting tested for HIV can help foster peace of mind, regardless of your test result. And, if you are concerned about testing positive for HIV, it is important to recognize that today more than ever before, there is new medical treatment that is helping thousands of people infected with HIV lead healthier, active lives.
Yes. We guarantee that all Home Access test results are completely anonymous. Included in your test kit is a personal 11-digit code number. You are the only person who can share your code number or result with anyone else.
It's easy. Just call in to register your anonymous Home Access Code Number. Then collect a blood spot sample by following the instructions included in your kit. (If you have questions, you can call our toll-free number for assistance.) Ship your sample back to our laboratory for processing and then call in to find out your test result. After shipping your blood sample, you call back on the same toll-free number after either three or seven days (depending on which kit you purchased).
The Home Access Express® offers results in just three business days. If you purchase Home Access® your test result will be ready in about a week.
Once your test is processed, you call in to find out your test results. You retrieve your results by calling our toll-free number included in your test kit. If you are transferred to a counselor, there is no reason to panic, this does not automatically mean that you have tested positive.
Yes, you must first obtain your results over the phone. Then send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request noting your code number to:
Mail Back Results, Home Access Health, 2401 W. Hassell Road, Suite 1510, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
For results via email, send an email to hivresult@homeaccess.com. Be sure to provide your code number in the email. When results are sent via email they are sent in a Portable Document Format (PDF) attachment which includes your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and your result. The email is not sent in encrypted form and therefore your result, PIN and email address could be read by someone on the Internet. If you have concerns about these limitations please request your results via U.S. mail
Home Access Health, the leader in telemedicine, provides fast and convenient at-home medical testing and consultation. Our goal is to treat everyone who uses our service with respect and understanding. We guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with your HIV test purchase or we will replace your kit or refund your money. For more in-depth information about our products or Home Access Health, call 1 800 HIV-TEST.
