Home Access HIV - 1 Test System - 1 ea

by Home Access

Product Features

• Please read all label information on delivery
• Tests for HIV from home; confidential and anonymous
• 4 easy steps; greater than 99.9-percent accurate
• Results in about a week; postage and lab service included
• Results, counseling, and referrals available 24 hours a day

Product Description

Home Access Hiv-1 Test System

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0000532NP
• UPC: 083170448551
• Item model number: HMA-44855
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,293 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #2 in Health & Personal Care > Medical Supplies & Equipment > Tests > Health Tests > HIV Tests

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words of wisdom for taking an HIV test, March 2, 2008

By 

Brett Grodeck (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Taking an HIV test isn't easy, I know. I've taken three HIV tests in my life, all with the same result: HIV positive. Why take an HIV test when I already know that I'm HIV positive? As the author of the book, The First Year: HIV, I was curious about this product.

Originally, I reviewed the HIV Home Express Test. Basically, the Standard Test is identical. But instead of offering results in 1-3 business days, the Standard test offers results in 3-7 business days. Otherwise, they are the same test: FDA approved, accurate, timely results, anonymous but with a "live person" for questions about your results.

My test arrived in a standard Amazon box, just like a book from Amazon. If you're worried about being discreet, it's just fine. Inside the test kit, you'll find some instructions, advertising, envelopes, bandages, and two little blue things called Lancets.

I found the instructions to be a little confusing. It's not as easy as you're first led to believe. Honestly, I was so confused by the "pre-registration" process that I lost my motivation and put the test away for a few days. I imagine many people lose motivation to follow through.

When I finally got inspired, I washed my hands, studied the blood sample collection card, and pricked my finger with the Lancet. It felt like a paper cut. I had a hard time squeezing out enough blood to fill the dime-size circle on the collection card. When I finished, I sealed the card into the provided envelope, put that envelope into the pre-paid FedEx package, and shipped it off.

Home Access delivers on their promises of being accurate (100% for me) and FDA approved (other cheaper and unregulated HIV tests can be found online; avoid them). The test certainly is confidential and anonymous. When I called to get my results, the phone counselor was to-the-point, sincere, and helpful.

Overall, the hardest part was waiting and wondering. For me, it was well over two weeks, from ordering the test from Amazon, understanding what to do, struggling with motivation, squeezing blood, shipping the sample to Home Access, waiting through a weekend and a holiday, and then getting my results. For the Standard Test, figure about three weeks to get your results. Don't let yourself worry or obsess during this time.

Ultimately, the real value of an HIV test is in knowing your results. If you test HIV negative, carry on. If you test positive, relax. It's not the end of the world. A positive test result means you've been exposed to the virus, that's all. It doesn't mean you're a bad person or God is punishing you. And it doesn't necessary mean that you'll need medicine any time soon.

Of course a positive test result can still rock your world. But remember, the reality is that -- in 2008 in the developed world -- there is excellent medicine to keep the virus at bay indefinitely. I've been positive for over 20 years and today I have a pretty good life. In fact, the knowledge focused my attention to maintaining good health, not just with HIV, but with all areas of my life.

Either the Standard or the Express tests from Home Access are fine. Personally, I'd go with the Standard Test, take advantage of the free shipping, and save money. Both tests provide verification of your results by mail or email (should you need to prove it). Ultimately, the test offers you knowledge. Knowing your results can save your life. Knowing is better than not knowing; it gives you the power to take control of your health and make better choices. In my opinion, it's money well spent.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Working in the medical field, it never hurts ..., April 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Home Access HIV - 1 Test System - 1 ea (Health and Beauty)

Working in the medical field, it never hurts to know one's status. Although we do use universal precautions, I've worked with a lot of AIDS patients, as well as patients who were high risk. The home HIV access system was easy to use with clear, simple instructions. Everything for testing was provided, right down to the postage-paid mailer. It was completely confidential. The only thing I didn't like was going through the numerous menus when you call to give them your code number at the start of the test, but it does contain some useful information. I received my test results in less than a week. You get them by calling a toll-free number and entering your private access code number. All in all, it was a very good product, easy to use, and I'd recommend it to anyone who may be high risk for HIV.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're terrified of self-administering lancets: my advice, January 6, 2009

By 

random lady (ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home Access HIV - 1 Test System - 1 ea (Health and Beauty)

Obviously tackling this kind of test for the first time is stressful for many reasons. At this point (especially after viewing "Sicko"), I want to keep my HIV status as far away from insurance companies as possible.

In addition to the results themselves, some of us have additional anxiety with self-administering lancets and drawing blood. I had read all literature carefully, and had everything out on the table to do the test (before that day's mail pickup - you have to do both on the same day). I started to shake when it came to the "surprise" mechanism of the lancet, and I had no idea what to expect. I took a chance and discharged the first one on cardboard to get an idea of the pressure and depth, but was still terrified to do the second.

I then decided to take a Valium. A half hour later, I was relaxed enough to go through with the other one...for the most part! I found a utensil with a rough edge that I could hit with the other hand while doing the lancet as a distraction. I washed my hands and applied the wipe as directed, and discharged the second into my middle finger. Now, I am the biggest baby possible in these situations, but I can guarantee it was NOTHING (and then felt stupid for testing the first one), and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

So, I proceeded to squeeze the hell out of my finger, quickly shaking at intervals to ensure it wouldn't clot. It was really difficult, but I managed to fill the first side. After flipping over, I discovered the other side had only soaked through halfway, and in a panic I kept squeezing more to fill the remainder of the other side (forgetting that you're not supposed to do this).

I then called to register the number, and then spoke to a counselor about my concerns with the sample. She said it wasn't the end of the world that I filled the other half of the backside, and that it was perfectly fine to take a Valium beforehand. She was very kind and helpful!

Sorry for the length, but I know this kind of thing can be traumatic for some. I just wanted to share my experience and go into enough depth to reassure anyone nervous about the procedure.