HIV TESTING AT HOME

OASIS Florida has free at-home test kits available.

If you are uncomfortable coming into our offices, you can test yourself in the privacy of your own home. Contact us to request your free at-home test kit.

Can I get an HIV test to use at home or in a private location?

Yes. These are known as HIV self-tests.

A Rapid Self-Test is done entirely at home or in a private location and can produce results within 20 minutes. You can buy a rapid self-test kit at a pharmacy or online at OraQuick.com. The only rapid self-test currently available in the US is an oral fluid test.

What should I expect when I use a rapid HIV self-test (also known as a home test)?

For this test, you must swab your gums to collect an oral fluid sample and use the materials in the kit to test your oral fluid sample. You will be able to get a result within 20 minutes. It is important to follow the directions as described in the instructions or the test will not work. There is a phone number included with the HIV self-test for anyone to call to get help with conducting the test.

You should always interpret the rapid self-test according to the test manufacturer’s instructions.

If the test result is negative, and you haven’t had a possible exposure during the previous 3 months, you can be confident you don’t have HIV.
If your test result is positive, go to a health care provider for follow-up testing.

Some people have difficulty in conducting a rapid self-test and the test does not perform as it should. If a rapid HIV self-test is invalid as described in the instructions, then the test has not worked. In this case, you will need to use another rapid self-test, a mail-in self-test, or seek testing at a health care provider or testing center.

Note: State laws regarding self-testing vary and may limit availability. Check with your health care provider for additional testing options.