Customer Reviews

Home Access HIV - 1 Test System - 1 ea

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you have access to a clinic that offers free anonymous testing... sure... use it. But not everyone does.
There is such a clinic not too far from me but this test is more convenient and more anonymous. I still don't trust insurance companies to do the right thing not to mention others who may have access to medical records... so anonymous is important.

I have been using this test periodically for a few years now... almost since it came out. I am HIV- but my partner is HIV+ so it is important to test regularly even without any unsafe activity.

Several people complain about the lancets and not being able to get enough blood. Frankly I think in many cases this is probably because they did not read or follow the directions. True you won't open a vein with these things. But the kit includes 2 in case the first one doesn't do it. And if you wash your hands in warm water that should help stimulate blood flow in your fingers. Holding your hand down by your side and shaking it (before lancing) helps too. You should be able to feel pressure in your fingers when there is enough blood in them. And you will have to squeeze... so yes it takes a little work. But you're not trying to donate to the Red Cross... you just want a few good drops.

Fortunately I have not needed to take advantage of the live counseling (my results have always been a pre-recorded message and they don't leave you hanging) but it's nice to know I can talk to someone with the push of a button and even call back if I change my mind.

If you are a big Chicken like I was at first... have someone else handy to use the lancet on you. I could not do it to myself the first couple times. It has never hurt... it just feels strange and wrong to make myself bleed. But once you do it one time it is a breeze.

I applaud Home Access for making an anonymous FDA approved home HIV test kit available, and Amazon.com for making it available from a trusted Internet vendor. Having said that, I can't help but wonder if the people who wrote the other reviews took the same test I took. Every one of them raved about how easy the test is to self-administer. One review even said it was painless. That was definitely not my experience. The supplied lancet is a primitive thing, that is painful and brutal to use. The lancet is sterile, and limits the depth of the puncture; otherwise, it's no better than jabbing yourself with the point of a knife. I had to jab my finger over and over, and squeeze and squeeze to get enough blood to fill the circle on the card. The blood kept clotting between punctures, so I had to keep wiping my finger with the supplied alcohol swab to keep the blood flowing. I'm concerned that the continuous use of the alcohol swab contaminated the blood sample. So, I've decided to take the test again. This time, I've purchased an adjustable, spring-loaded lancet from the drugstore. It's the type diabetics use, and the cost is about seven dollars, which includes a package of sterile blades. With a better lancet, I hope I'll be able to obtain a pure blood sample and have more confidence in the test result. I hope the spring-loaded blade will make it easier for me to jab myself without flinching. The instructions are very detailed and well written, but they may be difficult for some people to follow. The only reason I gave the kit three stars instead of five is the problem I had with the lancet. I recognize that my problem with the lancet may not be typical; however, I suggest that anyone planning to take this test invest a few more dollars in a good lancet, and have it ready before administering the test.

This Product is almost waste of money.Its painful,slow and frustrating. I had to order this kit thrice and still could not get the results. The safety lancet provided with the kit is just not enough to get a deep cut and draw enough blood.

Even after properly filling the blood sample in the test strip one has to make sure that all the blood drops are put one at a time.I used the first lancet to get few drop of blood and that was not enough and by the time I used the second lancet to get few more drops of blood there was a delay of 5 minutes and the the previous blood sample dried out. I confirmed with the technical support and they said all the blood drop should be placed in the test strip together.

Frustrated i tried the "OraQuick rapid" test. its very simple. No need for painful blood extraction. Just the mouth saliva is used and the result is available in 20 minutes. Tough OraQuick is not available as personal home kit. Its can be found in any clinic. Most clinic give a free Oraquick rapid saliva test

Today, I used the product for the 3rd time. I've used this kit since I discovered its existence. Honestly, the first time I tried it, I was terrified of the lancelet. I'm the type that faints at the thought of a simple injection. Given, different people have different pain thresholds, my experience all in all 3 (separate times, spaced out about 8-12 months apart)yielded very minimal pain to the point where I wasn't even sure it punctured my skin. I felt silly for being so scared.
I agree with the posts that its kind of difficult and slightly nerve-racking to extract enough blood to fill the dime-sized circle, but I guess thats what the 2nd lancelet could be used for. Blood is slow to flow out, and I almost recommend standing to maximize gravity on the blood-flow. In all 3-instances, I was able to fill it up w/one lancelet, and drop it off at the fed-ex center and have my results within about 30-36hrs from the point of dropping it off at Fex-Ex. (I ordered the express kit). I recommend (have have recommended) this kit to all my friends for the simple convenience.

Going to start this by reminding people that reviews are opinions mixed with facts.
OK, with that said, here goes:
There should be no question as to why someone would purchase this product. The fact is, we are all aware that there are free tests out there, but if we wanted to do this in a public setting, we wouldn't be browsing/buying an at-home product.
After placing my order and receiving my "your item has shipped" email, I was expecting a few days to pass before it's arrival, since I took the cheapest shipping method possible, but to my surprise, it arrived super fast.
The package is small and discreet. The instructions are VERY simple. They may seem overwhelming at first, but after reading them you'll see just how easy it really is. I followed them to the letter and mailed off my sample on a Monday morning. I called the toll free number (it's the number you call to register your personal key) the following Wednesday, entered my code and PRESTO; I got my results.
All and all this is a great product. I'm 100% satisfied!
:~)

I have used this product just to know my status. So many people have HIV but do not know it until it is too late. I think it is great that people can confidentially get tested and it is FDA approved. I had to numb my thumb with ice before I got enough courage to prick myself, lol. All in all, I would advise anyone who was sexually active to get this test. It was a welcome relief for me!!!

This test is worth buying if just to give yourself some peace of mind. It's very simple to do. The best thing about it is that you can remain anonymous. You're identified by a number, not your name. Another thing I liked about it is that it's used by doctors' offices and is 99.9% reliable. The directions are very plain and simple to follow. Try it, it's easy!