First HIV Self-Testing Kit On Sale In The UK

The first ever legally approved home testing kit for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is on sale in the UK. The BioSure HIV self-test kit reportedly confirms within a period of 15 minutes whether its user has been exposed to the HIV or not.

The kit will allow people to test themselves for HIV infection at home rather than to send their sample off for testing and analysis at the laboratory. Reportedly, the kit only requires a small sample of blood to detect whether any antibodies associated with HIV are present in it.

The BioSure product website says, “BioSure HIV Self Test is over 99.7% accurate and allows you to discreetly determine your HIV status at a time and a place that is convenient for you. The test is extremely easy to perform, requires only a tiny drop of blood, and gives a clear and simple to read results in just 15 minutes.”

Each HIV self-test kit includes a test device, a single-use lancet and a plaster. In addition to the testing equipments, the kit comprises a how to test guide, disposal bag, result guide and a product insert. A single-use test kit currently costs £29.95.

According to the UK government officials, nearly 26,000 people in Wales, Scotland, and England are carrying HIV, however, they are not aware of the infection. With the help of the kit, the developers and the government hope to facilitate early treatment and prognosis of the condition. The test is only effective in individuals exposed to the virus more than 90 days before the testing in done. Therefore, the one-time test is not effective in detecting infections that are less than three months old.

In addition to the self-test kit purchase, BioSure offers an option to the customers to opt for its subscription scheme. Under the scheme, the company will send a test kit to the buyer once in every three months. The offer is suitable for individuals who wish to self-test themselves for HIV infection at regular intervals.

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