FDA Panel Backs First Rapid, Take Home HIV Test 94
TheGift73 writes in with news about an over-the-counter HIV test getting the backing of a panel of FDA experts. "American consumers may soon be able to test themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in the privacy of their own homes, after a panel of experts on Tuesday recommended approval of the first rapid, over-the-counter HIV test. The 17 members of the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously that the benefits of the OraQuick HIV test outweigh its potential risks for consumers. While the test, which uses a mouth swab to return a result in 20 minutes, does not appear to be as accurate as professionally-administered diagnostics, panelists said it could provide an important way to expand HIV testing. The FDA will make its final decision on whether to approve the product later this year, weighing the opinion of the panel."
Re:False positives and false negatives ... (Score:4, Insightful)
As compared to the error rate inherent in, "Well, I feel healthy."
As someone who has had the experience of having my GF tell me she had just tested positive. Then having to go see the doctor, then the blood test, then wait for results. I had the first Dr. appointment of the day and the doctor was running late. I nearly lost my mind waiting.
I think a test like this would have saved me a lot of stress.
In case anyone cares, my test came back negative, and again 6 months later.
This was almost 20 years ago and testing HIV+ was pretty much a death sentence back then.
Re:If we apply our logic fairly in the US... (Score:4, Insightful)
You must be lacking in logic. This is only an HIV *test*, not a vaccine or cure.
It needn't be a cure for HIV; if people believe a prospective partner is clean they're more likely to go bare.
Re:If we apply our logic fairly in the US... (Score:5, Insightful)
Same in the UK - although they don't shout about it enough in my opinion, they have started doing testing in student bars etc. which is great move. I've been checked regularly over the past few years and make a point of being open about it. Sure you get the standard 'ha ha you dirty bastard' response to begin with. But who is dirtier? It's the equivalent of being proud for never washing your hands.
The frustrating thing is these are all absolutely preventable diseases. The religious anti-sex brigade are causing considerable pain and suffering -how moral- by perpetuating the lie that "sex is bad m'kay" and that where you stick your bits is somehow something to be ashamed of - not to mention someone else's business.
I'll calm down now.