A new study, conducted by a group of scientists in India, has indicated that making it possible for people to test for HIV/AIDS at home may be a key way to help reduce the global epidemic. HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest threats to sexual health, and affects the wellness of millions all over the world.
Despite living the kind of lifestyle where their wellbeing may be at threat from the sexually transmitted infection, many people do not get tested for HIV as regularly as they should (or at all, in some cases). This can be largely due to the stigma associated with going to get a blood test of this type. Many are therefore spreading the disease around further, as they do not know that they have it. This is why the scientists feel that home testing kits could be the way forward for early detection and treatment of people, and would simultaneously reduce the chances of transmission.
There is still not sign of an HIV vaccine emerging, so emphasis must be placed on treatment and prevention of the disease. Despite a good awareness of the importance of getting tested, the uptake for the test is alarmingly low across the world.
UNAIDS claims that 50 percent of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of it, and that 2.5 new people get infected with the disease every year, leading to a global epidemic of unprecedented proportions.
The home test would be linked to a counseling system, so that users of the home test would be able to seek help and support regarding the outcome of their test. The test is very simple to do, as it is done using a simple sample from the fluid in your mouth, at the gum lining. This is easy to do and non-invasive. Results can be given within 20 minutes. As the results are self-interpreted, however, a positive result should be taken to a medical clinic for confirmation.
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