Article Title: FDA Panel backs first rapid, take home HIV test
By: Author not stated on website (Site says: By The Associated Press)
Length: 2 pages
Date Published: may 15 2012
From: NY times.com
Category: health
Main Ideas:
Orasure, a Pennsylvania based company, has developed one of the first over-the-counter HIV tests, called the OraQuick HIV test. The test can be done entirely in one's home and delivers results in about 20 minutes. OraQuick is the first test of its kind; there ate other take-home HIV tests available, but they require a blood sample and must be sent to a lab for testing. The results may not be as accurate as the HIV tests administered by doctors, but experts agreed that OraQuick is a great advance in HIV testing. Because of this, a panel of experts recommended to the FDA to approve this test. In clinical trials, the Ora Quick test accurately identified infected individuals 93% of the time, and it could stop about 4,000 new HIV infections each year. Because of this and because of its low risks to consumers, the panel of experts urged the FDA to approve this product.
Conclusions:
The OraQuick test is a great advance in HIV testing. Many people in the US who are infected with HIV are completely unaware that they have it. This test could provide people with reasonably accurate results in the comfort f their own homes. Additionally, the OraQuick test is painless (it involves a cheek swab) and fast, so it appeals to modern consumers' desire for convenience. Therefore, the FDA is likely to approve this product for commercial use.
Opinions:
I believe that fast, accurate testing is the key to stopping the spread of HIV. People who don't know they have HIV are the most likely to spread it, and the OraQuick test will greatly reduce this number. I think that more people will be inclined to ge HIV tests now that they can be done at home, since many people are too busy to get tested at a doctor or clinic. Since the OraQuick test has almost no side effects, I will be very surprised if the FDA doesn't approve it for sales.
It's great that we are making more advancements in HIV testing. Now that there will be a take home test, people will be more likely to take the test and therefore find out if they need medication or not. Before, HIV testing was tedious and many did not want to get tested because it was embarrassing. If the FDA approves this new test, I am confident that many more people will be willing to take the test in the comfort of their own homes. Therefore, affected persons will be able to take necessary steps to protect themselves and their partners from further harm.
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