How to use your saliva to test for HIV

How to use your saliva to test for HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV is a disease that has been existing for some time now. It is very important to know your HIV status because a lot of things can be done to remedy it when it is detected early. However, most people do not want to get tested probably because of the stigma attached to it or because of the fear of being pricked with needles.

According to Web MD, scientists and researchers have developed an oral test kit which can help you know your HIV status just with your saliva. With the production of this oral test kit, many more people have been able to ascertain their HIV status without having to go through the pain of needle piercing or facing the stigma attached to it.

It is also simple to do, it is just like using a pregnancy test strip to check if you are pregnant; so you do not really need the help of a health care expert to do it. If you follow the instructions, you should get an accurate result.

How can you use your saliva to test for HIV?

The test kit comes with a tube with contains some certain chemicals. In order to properly test your self, you take the oral test kit and rub it on the top part and the lower part of your gum just once.

After it must have absorbed a little saliva, put the strip directly into the test tube which contains chemicals and leave it for about 20 to 40 minutes. If you see two lines on the strip, even if the second line is faint, then you may be HIV positive but if the strip shows just a single line, then you are HIV negative.

Before you do this test, you should take note of the following things:

  1. Do not eat or drink anything for about 15 minutes before doing the test. Infact, don’t use anything in your mouth whether it be toothpaste, water or mouth wash.
  2. After bringing the oral strip out of your mouth, make sure you don’t touch it, put it directly into the test tube.
  3. Ensure that the chemical present in the test tube does not spill.

Story by : Adekoyejo Olumuyiwa Osindero

Category:
Health