HIV Self-Test ® HIV/AIDS* Screening

HIV Self-Test ® HIV/AIDS self-test

HIV® Blood Self-Test is an over-the-counter HIV self-test available in France starting September 15, 2015.

The acronym HIV stands for “human immunodeficiency virus.” HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, if left untreated.
HIV treatment is highly effective. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible after infection to reduce the risk of serious illness or death.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: The number of people infected with HIV worldwide is currently estimated at approximately 30 million, and nearly half of them have not been diagnosed and are unaware of their infection. This undiagnosed population accounts for the majority of HIV transmissions worldwide.
In France, an estimated 150,000 people are living with HIV. Of these, 19% are undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. This represents approximately 29,000 people who are HIV-positive and unaware of their status.

PURPOSE OF THE TEST: To identify HIV-positive individuals who are unaware of their status in order to limit transmission and begin treatment as early as possible.
This test provides results in 1 minute.

Description

The first CE-marked, prescription-free HIV/AIDS self-test kit manufactured in France, Autotest VIH® has been the subject of preliminary studies conducted in collaboration with the national organizations AIDES and HF Prévention.

Instructions for Using the HIV Self-Test

The HIV blood self-test is easy to use and provides a result in 15 minutes from a single drop of blood. The user collects the blood sample after disinfecting their finger. They simply prick the fingertip with the needle and then place the test tip onto the test pad.

The test detects the presence of HIV antibodies. If the result is positive, contact your primary care physician or Sida Info Service (0 800 840 800; anonymous and free).

The HIV/AIDS® self-test will be supported by Sida Info Service to provide future users with counseling, guidance, and assistance in performing the HIV/AIDS® self-test through its anonymous and toll-free telephone platform.

Precautions for Use

According to the French National Authority for Health (HAS),self-tests are an addition to existing screening options and should not replace them. Unlike otherHIV screening tests, self-tests that have received the CE mark will be sold in pharmacies (without a prescription) and can be performed and interpreted bythe user at home. However, these tests are not 100% reliable, and any positive result must be confirmed by a laboratory test (4th-generation ELISA). They have low sensitivity in cases of recent infection (less than 3 months).

Furthermore, HIV self-tests do not detect other sexually transmitted infections or viral hepatitis.

The seroconversion window for HIV can be up to 3 months, which means that HIV infections less than 3 months old may not be detected by these tests.

Product Description

Box containing a blood self-test kit

Our Expert Pharmacy Advice

Currently in France, 150,000 people are living with HIV, and 20% of those infected are unaware of their HIV-positive status.

HIV self-tests QUESTIONS / ANSWERS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The self-test does not replace other methods of HIV screening; it complements them.
• No one should be pressured into taking a self-test in order to influence certain behaviors or decisions.
• Warning: Self-tests without a CE mark (or with a counterfeit CE mark) sold on e-commerce sites offer no guarantee of quality.
• A self-test cannot detect an HIV infection the day after engaging in risky behavior or accidental exposure. The result is reliable only if the risky behavior occurred more than 3 months ago.
• The self-test does not screen for other sexually transmitted infections or hepatitis.
• Any positive result must be confirmed by a test using standardized laboratory techniques (4th-generation ELISA).
• A negative test result does not necessarily mean that the person tested and their partner(s) are not infected with HIV.
• It is important that people infected with HIV receive care and treatment as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, or if you have doubts about the testing process or how to interpret the result, you can contact the AIDS Info Service (0 800 840 800—an anonymous, toll-free number available 24/7), visit the website https://www.sida-info-service.org/, or consult a healthcare professional (primary care physician, pharmacist, etc.).

For more information, visit the website of the French National Health Authority (HAS).