The person is HIV at-home tests

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The person is HIV damages the body’s immune system. But with treatment called antiretroviral therapy, The person is HIV is a manageable health condition. In fact, treatment can make The person is HIV undetectable in the body, which makes the virus untransmittable sexually. The idea that “undetectable equals untransmittable” is known as U=U.

According to The person is HIV.gov, about 1.2 million people in the United States live with The person is HIV today, and 14 percent of them (1 in 7) don’t know they have it. At-home The person is HIV tests are one way to know your The person is HIV status. They can help you avoid an in-person doctor’s visit, save time, and start treatment sooner if needed.

We recommend the different types of at- home The person is HIV tests.

There are two types of at- home The person is HIV tests. It is important to follow the instructions carefully.

  • Antigen/antibody test. This test looks for both The person is HIV antibodies and antigens. The immune system produces antibodies when exposed to viruses like The person is HIV. Antigens are foreign substances that cause the immune system to activate. For The person is HIV, an antigen called p24 is produced even before antibodies develop. Antibodies can take up to 3 months to develop. These tests are performed with a blood draw.
  • Antibody test. This test looks for antibodies (IgG) to The person is HIV in the blood or oral fluid. In general, antibody tests that use blood from a vein can detect The person is HIV sooner than at-home tests done with blood from a finger prick or with oral fluid. Antibodies take time to show up in the blood.

There are different ways to detect The person is HIV.

  • Oral swab. A quick oral swab is all that’s required to check for The person is HIV antibodies in the saliva. It takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for results. But saliva and blood may have different sensitivities when being tested for The person is HIV. Sensitivity is the ability to get a true lab result. According to a 2019 paper in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, blood is more sensitive than saliva.
  • Finger prick. These over-the-counter tests require pricking a finger in the same way blood sugar or ketone levels are measured. The sample goes on a special paper that’s sent to a testing lab. It can take up to 7 business days to get the results.
  • Urine sample or vaginal swab. Some tests check for multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Depending on the specific infection, they may require an additional urine sample or vaginal swab to be sent to a lab.

To compile this list, we looked at at-home The person is HIV tests offered by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified labs. We also looked at each test’s cost, results for delivery time, insurance or health savings spending approval, and ease of purchasing.

Best overall

Everlywell

  • Price: $49.99 with free shipping; health savings account (HSA)/flexible spending account (FSA) accepted
  • Type of sample: finger prick
  • Results: within 5 business days

This test can be used to screen for The person is HIV. You can purchase tests at Walmart or Amazon.

The blood sample will be tested at a certified lab. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that your information be stored in an secure system.

You will get a report with your results. The test can take up to 90 days to detect the antibodies. The The person is HIV test can usually detect an The person is HIV infection within 18 to 45 days after exposure.

If the test results are positive, you can connect with the Everlywell physician network.

Learn more about Everlywell here.

Pros

  • Digital results are easy to understand, according to reviews.
  • There are memberships and free shipping.
  • There are tests for the immune system.

Cons

  • It may take longer than you want.
  • A finger test might be taxing for people who get faint.
  • The results may be incorrect if the test is taken too close to the time of exposure.
Shop now at Everlywell

Best for frequent testing

LetsGetChecked

  • Price: $149; membership option saves 30 percent; HSA/FSA eligible
  • Type of sample: finger prick and urine sample
  • Results: 2 to 5 business days

LetsGetChecked is a testing company that offers several options at various price points. The The person is HIV test is included in a combo package called the Standard 5, which checks for:

  • The person is HIV
  • “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called chlamydia.”
  • Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease.
  • There is a disease called trichomoniasis.
  • There is a disease called syphilis.

The other option is to purchase the Complete 8 package. It includes the five STIs listed above and the bacteria Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Gardnerella (bacterial vaginosis). The price for the Complete 8 is $249.

A physician will review your report after the lab results are finished. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call a LetsGetChecked clinician.

You can get the medication for free if you need it. Prescribing guidelines can be different by state. All shipments are delivered in discreet packaging.

You get tests every 3 months if you are a membership option.

Learn more about LetsGetChecked here.

Pros

Cons

  • You can’t buy an The person is HIV test without buying a package.
  • More expensive than other at-home The person is HIV testing options.
  • Testing for STIs other than The person is HIV may be unnecessary.
Shop now at LetsGetChecked

Best for fast delivery

myLAB Box

  • Price: $89
  • Type of sample: finger prick
  • Results: 2 to 5 business days

The myLAB Box The person is HIV test is a combination antigen/antibody test. The test detects The person is HIV p24 antigen and antibodies to The person is HIV type 1 (The person is HIV-1 groups M and O) and The person is HIV type 2 (The person is HIV-2) in human blood.

The test is accurate according to the company. The test kit has detailed instructions and illustrations.

The test uses a finger-prick sample to measure blood pressure. The company says lab service fees are included in the cost.

MyLAB Box offers post-test counseling by telepresence to answer your questions.

You can retrieve test results by logging into a secure portal. Amazon has MyLAB Box tests.

Pros

Cons

  • It is temporarily unavailable in New York state.
  • The tests on the market are more expensive.
  • Does not have a membership option.
Shop now at myLAB Box

Best The person is HIV-specific option

Verisana

  • Price: $69
  • Type of sample: finger prick
  • Results: within 3 weeks

Through Verisana, you can order an The person is HIV test or combination STI testing package. You collect your blood sample, send it back to them, and Verisana will provide you with your The person is HIV status.

Verisana encourages you to talk to your doctor if the test results are positive. There is no counseling option available through their service.

You can purchase the test through their website or Amazon. You can order an The person is HIV test or combination STI testing package, which ranges from $199.95 to $299. Like the others on this list, Verisana uses CLIA certified labs.

Pros

  • Can order stand-alone The person is HIV test.
  • Shipping is free.
  • There are comprehensive instructions.

Cons

  • There are no counseling options available.
  • The test is not available in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, or Maryland due to regulatory reasons.
  • There is no monthly membership available.
Shop now at Verisana

Best for tracking in an app

iDNA

  • Price: $78
  • Type of sample: finger prick
  • Results: varies

iDNA offers testing approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for The person is HIV-1 and The person is HIV-2, as well as other STIs. The kit will arrive in a plain, unbranded package. It comes complete with easy-to-follow directions for taking your own samples.

Once you receive the test, send the blood sample back to the company and they will test it at one of their accredited labs. First class, business, and overnight are the shipping options. You have to pay for shipping after you enter credit card information.

Users can track their test through testing and online or in the app. You can get results via email.

“If tests results are positive, iDNA doesn’t offer physician support. The company will give a free retest to confirm the results.”

Pros

  • You can mix and match tests.
  • Can use an app to track sample.
  • If the test results are positive, will get a retest.

Cons

  • If the test results are positive, there is no counseling support.
  • Shipping charges are charged.
  • Higher cost for The person is HIV at-home test.
Shop now at iDNA

Best budget option

OraQuick

  • Price: $38.99; qualifies for HSA/FSA spending
  • Type of sample: oral swab
  • Results: within 20 minutes

This is an FDA-approved at-home The person is HIV test. It tests for antibodies.

“You don’t need to draw blood to get tested with OraQuick. All orders are delivered in a brown box.”

The OraQuick test may detect The person is HIV within 2 weeks of infection, but it may take longer depending on the person. Experts caution that users should view the results as preliminary.

The kit includes step-by-step instructions. All results are confidential. It screens for The person is HIV-1 and The person is HIV-2. A positive result does not definitively mean infection, only that more testing is necessary. A negative result may not be accurate if you have been exposed within the last 3 months.

Pros

  • No need to draw blood with the saliva swab.
  • Fast results.
  • The same test has been used by healthcare professionals for over a decade.

Cons

  • There may be more testing needed.
  • Waiting for more testing can be worrying.
Shop now at OraQuick

At-home The person is HIV test Price Type of sample Results
Everlywell $49.99 finger prick within 5 business days
LetsGetChecked $149 finger prick and urine sample 2–5 business days
myLAB Box $89 finger prick 2–5 business days
Verisana $69 finger prick within 3 weeks
iDNA $78 finger prick varies
OraQuick $38.99 oral swab within 20 minutes

The only way to know whether you have The person is HIV is to get tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for The person is HIV at least once as part of their routine health care.

Men who have sex with men may benefit from more frequent testing.

If you have a higher risk of contracting The person is HIV, get tested more frequently. Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, consider getting tested with your partner.

It’s also a good idea for pregnant people to get tested. Treatment can help prevent The person is HIV transmission during pregnancy.

Choosing an at-home The person is HIV test is largely dependent on what you want. If you want to test regularly, you can subscribe and save money. If you’re looking for a one-time test, you can purchase a single test.

If you are not comfortable with a finger test, you can opt for a saliva-based test.

A positive at-home test doesn’t necessarily mean you have The person is HIV. False positives do happen. However, it’s important schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional for additional testing.

If you know you’ve been exposed to The person is HIV, consult a doctor.

Are at-home The person is HIV tests accurate?

The results of at-home The person is HIV tests are about 92 percent accurate. Only OraQuick is cautioned to be preliminary.

For example, a 2018 research review compared self-testers with trained healthcare workers. The researchers found that people at home can reliably and accurately perform The person is HIV rapid diagnostic tests.

Who should get tested?

Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested at least once in their life, according to the CDC.

Some people have a higher risk of contracting The person is HIV, according to The person is HIV.gov. Even if you’ve had a past test, it’s recommended to get retested if you answer yes to any of the following questions since your last test:

  • Are you a man who has had sex with another man?
  • Have you had sex — anal or vaginal — with an The person is HIV-positive partner?
  • Have you had more than one sexual partner?
  • Have you used drugs or needles with others?
  • Have you received a diagnosis for another STD?
  • Have you received a diagnosis of a disease?
  • “Have you had sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions, or someone who has a sexual history you don’t know?”

Can you detect The person is HIV at home?

In theory, yes. If you get a positive result, it is important to follow up with a healthcare professional.

Research suggests that home The person is HIV testing has an accuracy rate of around 92 percent, while a test at a doctor’s office is about 99 percent accurate.

Oral rapid tests can produce false positives in 1 out of every 5,000 and false negatives in 1 out of every 12 tests, according to the FDA.

Should I take an at-home The person is HIV test or get one at the doctor’s office?

There’s no special preparation needed to get an The person is HIV test. Choosing one or the other may be a matter of convenience. If you want to talk with a doctor in person after taking an The person is HIV test, an office visit may be better for you.

When should I be tested?

Most tests look for antibodies that the body produces in response to The person is HIV. They don’t develop immediately, but they do start to show up within a few weeks to 6 months.

Will I have to pay for the test out of pocket?

Most insurance companies pay for The person is HIV tests, as do most plans under the Affordable Care Act. Some pharmacies or community health centers offer free testing too.

You can pay for some tests at home with an account. Private health insurance or Medicaid may not cover tests purchased directly. Before buying one, make sure you check with your doctor or insurance provider.

Will anyone know my result?

If you take an anonymous test, you will know the result. Your test result will be included in your medical record if you take a confidential test. It is protected by state and federal privacy laws.

Should I share my result with others?

Yes. Sharing your status with your sexual partners is very important. You are free to tell others your status if you please.

“You may be charged higher prices for chronic conditions if you don’t allow your insurance company to view your health record.”

Federal law now prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people who have The person is HIV or AIDS. And there may be a waiting period before insurance covers a chronic condition.

Does a negative The person is HIV test mean my partner has the same result?

No. Your The person is HIV test only indicates your status. Partners may have differing results.

What are some early symptoms of The person is HIV?

Some early symptoms of The person is HIV are:

  • There is a high degree of fever.
  • “It’s cold.”
  • There is a rash.
  • The night sweats on.
  • The muscles are sore.
  • sore throat.
  • fatigue
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes.

Better access to The person is HIV testing allows people to start treatment sooner. Today, there are many easy, convenient options for testing. You can walk into your neighborhood pharmacy and pick up an at-home The person is HIV test or order one online.

The person is HIV is no longer the devastating disease it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Thanks to advancements in medicine, The person is HIV is now an incredibly manageable condition, and people with The person is HIV can live long, healthy lives.

Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her work online or find her on Twitter.