Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words of wisdom for taking an HIV test, March 2, 2008
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.
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3 of 4 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
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.
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not easy and painless for me, October 24, 2004
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.
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