Home Access^® HIV-1 Test System

HIV-1 Test how it Works

Besides being fast, convenient and accurate, the Home Access® HIV-1 Test System is easy to use. Each test kit comes with a detailed instructions booklet with illustrations, which will take you through pre-test registration and counseling; collecting a blood sample; shipping that sample to our accredited laboratory and calling back for test results, post-test counseling, and referrals.

Throughout the testing process, professionally trained counselors are available to provide assistance and to answer your questions. To protect your privacy, only your eleven-digit Home Access code number (which comes with the kit) identifies you.

Purchase Your Home Access® HIV-1 test kit

You can choose the best option for you. Home Access Express® and Home Access® HIV home tests are available for purchase direct online, by fax or mail order, through nationwide retail pharmacies and drug stores or by calling 1.877.518.6337.

Code Number Registration and Pre-Test Counseling

You begin by calling a toll free number to register your anonymous Home Access code number and complete pre-test counseling, questions and demographic information. You can choose to speak to a Home Access counselor or use our automated registration and education system. Our counselors are available to help you with any questions or personal concerns.

Sample Collection

Using the retractable safety lancet provided, you prick your fingertip and place drops of blood on the blood specimen card included in the test kit. You only need enough blood to fill a circle the size of a dime.

Shipping

An enclosed weather resistant protective pouch, which placed in a self-addressed, pre-paid FedEx®, protects your blood sample or U.S. Mail shipping envelope, all included in the test kit. Your sample shipped directly to our accredited laboratory.

Laboratory Analysis

The Home Access laboratory is FDA approved, CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act) certified #14D0981820) and CAP (College of American Pathologists) accredited. The United States Food and Drug Administration have certified our procedures and protocols under cGMPs (Current Good Manufacturing Practices). At the laboratory, experienced technicians using the exact same test ordered by doctors’ offices, hospitals, and clinics, ensuring greater than 99.9% accuracy, test your blood sample.

When Results are Available

Results for the Home Access HIV-1 Test Kit should be available seven business days (not including Sundays & Holidays) after ship date. Results for the Home Access Express HIV-1 test should be available next business day (not including weekends & holidays) after shipping. After receiving results by phone, you may request a written copy of results by email or by U.S. Mail.

Post-Test Counseling

You access your test result and receive post-test counseling by entering your Home Access® code number. Home Access® counselors are available to offer nationwide medical and social service referrals to people requiring further assistance. Counselors can search from more than 19,000 organizations included in the Home Access Health referral database to identify the most appropriate resource to meet your specific needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S

What is AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease that limits the body's ability to fight infection. A person with AIDS has a very weak immune system, turning normally mild or rare diseases into potentially fatal conditions.

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.

How can you tell if someone is infected with HIV?

A blood test will let you know if someone is infected with HIV. A person can be HIV-infected for many years while looking and feeling healthy, with no signs at all of being sick.

Who is most likely to become infected?

Anyone can become infected with HIV. HIV is transmitted sexually, through drug use by contaminated needles and during pregnancy from an infected mother to her unborn child. HIV can also be transmitted by breast-feeding.

How can I be exposed to HIV?

HIV can be exposed by unprotected sex, sharing a needle or syringe with someone who is infected.

What is unprotected sex?

Sex without a latex condom or other barrier methods. HIV is found in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. HIV can enter the body through any type of sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.

What about doing drugs?

Injecting drugs using a needle that has been used by someone else is risky because it can contain infected blood from that person. Any drug use, including alcohol, affects judgment and can contribute to exposure to HIV infection.

What are the ways to prevent or reduce exposure to HIV infection?

The best way to reduce risk is use a latex condom correctly for all sexual intercourse. Quitting is the best prevention if you are using injectable drugs. However, if that is not an option, then people should always use a sterile needle to inject drugs and never use somebody else's equipment.

What about pregnancy?

Pregnant women can help prevent or dramatically reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to an unborn child through specifically prescribed drug treatments during pregnancy. As a measure of protection, it is especially important for pregnant women to be tested for HIV as soon as possible then, if necessary, seek assistance with a physician experienced in treating HIV/AIDS.

What exactly is an HIV antibody test?

The human body makes antibodies to fight all kinds of infection. If you become infected with HIV, your body creates HIV antibodies. Just like doctors' offices and clinics, Home Access tests your blood for HIV antibodies.

How soon do these antibodies show up?

In most infected people, the antibodies will show up in the blood within six weeks to 3 months. However, in some people, it might take up to six months. This is important because the test cannot detect recent infections. For example, if you became infected in January, you may not test positive until June.

What does a negative result mean?

It means that HIV-1 antibodies were not found by a laboratory in a particular blood sample.

Can I test negative and still be infected?

Yes, it takes some time for your body to produce HIV antibodies, recent infections may not be detected.

What does a positive result mean?

It means that HIV-1 antibodies were found by the laboratory in a particular blood sample and the individual providing that sample is infected. That individual is capable of passing the virus to someone else.

What does an indeterminate result mean?

It means a laboratory could not confirm the presence of HIV-1 antibodies in a particular blood sample. It could mean that an individual may be in the process of converting from being negative to being positive. It could also be due to other medical factors. In either case, it is recommended that the individual be re-tested.

What does an insufficient result mean?

An insufficient result refers specifically to the Home Access® HIV Test system. It means that HIV-1 antibody testing could not be performed on the blood sample that was sent to the laboratory. This happens most often because there was not enough blood to test. If you use Home Access HIV testing, make sure you follow all printed instructions regarding the collection of a blood sample.

How accurate is the Home Access HIV-1 at-home test?

Home Access' HIV tests are doctor recommended and designed to provide you with a scientific test result that you can trust. Home Access' HIV tests use the same tests run by doctors and hospitals and is clinically proven greater than 99.9% accurate. Data from our Phase III clinical trials have been published in the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 157, 2/10/97). You can request to receive a free reprint of this study.

What does FDA approved mean?

Our entire service has been scientifically reviewed for safety and effectiveness by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA granted Home Access Health nationwide clearance to market its service on July 22, 1996. The Home Access at-home telemedicine HIV counseling and testing service is the ONLY such service available in the United States approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the past, FDA has warned consumers against purchasing or using any HIV testing service (especially over the internet) that has not been FDA approved.

Why are tested for HIV?

There are a number of reasons that prompt a person to take an HIV test. Whether it is: entering a new relationship, switching birth control, reassurance for a healthy pregnancy or concern you may have been exposed to HIV through unprotected sex--being tested for HIV can help foster peace of mind, regardless of your test result. In addition, if you are concerned about testing positive for HIV, it is important to recognize that today more than ever before, there is new medical treatment that is helping thousands of people infected with HIV lead healthier, active lives.

Is the Home Access® HIV-1 test anonymous?

Yes. We guarantee that all Home Access test results are completely anonymous. Included in your test kit is a personal 11-digit code number. You are the only person who can share your code number or result with anyone else.

How is my order packaged and shipped?

Orders placed through our website or call center are processed the next business day and shipped in either a plain brown or U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail box. The return address on the shipping label will say; TestMeds.com, LLC, P.O. Box 190026, Miami Beach, FL 33139. All orders are shipped via U.S. Postal Service and should be received within 4-5 business days of mailing. Please call our Customer Service department at 877.518.6337 with questions regarding your order.

How does it work?

It is easy. Just call in to register your anonymous Home Access Code Number. Then collect a blood spot sample by following the instructions included in your kit. (If you have questions, you can call our toll-free number for assistance.) Ship your sample back to our laboratory for processing and then call in to find out your test result. After shipping your blood sample, you call back on the same toll-free number after either three or seven days (depending on which kit you purchased).

When can I get my results?

The Home Access Express® HIV-1 test offers results in just one business day (excluding weekends & holidays) after shipping. If you purchase the Home Access® HIV-1 test, your test results will be ready in about a week.

How are results given?

You retrieve your results by calling our toll-free number included in your test kit. If you are transferred to a counselor, there is no reason to panic; this does not automatically mean that you have tested positive.

Can I get a copy of my results in writing?

Yes, you must first obtain your results over the phone. Then send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request noting your code number:

Mail Back Results

Home Access Health

2401 W. Hassell Road, Suite 1510

Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

For results via email, send an email to hivresult@homeaccess.com. Be sure to provide your code number in the email.

When results are sent via email, they are sent in a Portable Document Format (PDF) attachment, which includes your Home Access Code Number (HACN) and your result. The email is not sent in encrypted form and therefore your result, HACN and email address could be read by someone on the Internet. If you have concerns about these limitations please request your results via U.S. Mail.

Where can I purchase your products?

You can purchase our HIV-1 test products right now by ordering online, going to a major drug store, or calling 1.877.518.6337.