What is the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 Test? How to Use the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 At-Home Test Kit?
HIV/AIDS remains the second most fatal infectious disease and among the major causes of death in the post-pandemic world. While the 1990s saw major spikes in HIV/AIDS cases and deaths, the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and advancements in diagnostic technologies led to significant progress against the infection. Still, the rate of death caused by HIV/AIDS is more than 50% higher than deaths linked to heart disease and %100 higher than those caused by cancer across Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the development of more accurate, convenient, affordable, and rapid testing methods remains of utmost importance to the early detection of HIV/AIDS. Enabling a quick, simple, and non-invasive way to check for HIV 1 and HIV 2 in the comfort of your own home, the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 At-Home Test Kit offers unique advantages for public health. Read along as we delve into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with particular emphasis on the science behind the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 At-Home Test Kit and how it is used to check for HIV/AIDS in minutes.
What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of Lentiviruses of the family Retroviridae. In a nutshell, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are enveloped viruses with two copies of positive-sense single-stranded RNA. Of the two main subtypes of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), HIV-1 is by far the most common, widespread, and pathogenic strain, with over 2 million infections each year. In comparison, HIV-2 is less prevalent, and its incidence is mostly contained in the African continent. Once HIV enters the human body, it targets the host’s immune system by attacking and destroying vital cells such as T helper cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Among these cells, CD4+ cells are the primary targets of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). CD4+ cells play a critical role in the operation of the adaptive immune system, which helps the body fight off infections. As HIV continues to replicate and attack these cells, the number of CD4+ cells in the body drops, and the cell-mediated immunity of the host progressively weakens. As a result, the body becomes increasingly vulnerable to opportunistic infections of a wide array of origins, which may be severe or potentially fatal in people with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops when the number of CD4+ cells in the host body drops below a critical level, and the patient suffers from one or multiple opportunistic infections. As will be detailed below, an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has also been associated with the development of certain cancers.
What is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
In the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), infections with human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) develop in three stages. Following the incubation period, the infection initially emerges in its acute phase and presents with flu-like symptoms that may last up to 4 weeks. As the immune system reduces the number of viral particles in the bloodstream, HIV proceeds to its secondary or chronic stage, which may last for years without specific symptoms. However, one common symptom that characterizes the secondary or chronic stage of HIV is persistently swollen lymph nodes that develop as large amounts of viral particles get trapped in these tissues. The final stage of HIV is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It emerges as the immune system progressively loses its ability to protect the body against life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers. HIV-infected patients are often diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if they acquire opportunistic bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections, develop certain cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, cervical cancer, and lymphoma, or when their CD4+ cell counts decrease below 200 cells per milliliter of blood. The average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be between 9 to 11 years without intervention with antiretroviral therapy (ART).
What is the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 Test?
The Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 Test is a rapid immunochromatographic assay for the in vitro detection of the specific antibodies that are produced in response to infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2. The kit comes in a lateral flow test format and only requires the collection of a small oral fluid (saliva) sample. As it offers an easy-to-follow testing procedure with non-invasive sample collection, it is a convenient and accessible option for individuals who would like to check for HIV in the privacy of their own homes. The kit not only removes the need for a visit to a clinic for medical assistance but also delivers real-time results.
How to Use the Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 At-Home Test Kit?
The Oral Fluid HIV 1/2 At-Home Test Kit has a quick and straightforward procedure with easy-to-follow steps. While it has been deliberately designed for self-administration, the individual performing the test should make sure to read the provided manual beforehand and follow all instructions carefully to ensure maximum accuracy and validity. The kit often comes with a test device, a collection pad, and an extraction tube containing the extraction buffer. Prior to the start of the procedure, the mouth should first be cleaned thoroughly with water to remove any contaminants that may interfere with the test results. To collect an oral fluid (saliva) sample, the collection pad should be placed in the mouth and moved around for a few minutes to ensure the collection of a sufficient volume of oral fluid (saliva). Once a sufficient volume of oral fluid (saliva) has been collected, the collection pad should be inserted into the test device, and a few drops of the provided extraction buffer should be added to the assigned well on the kit. The results should be read within the period specified in the manual minutes. The presence of both the test line (T) and the control line (C) at the end of the specified reaction time indicates a positive test result, whereas the presence of only the control line (C) indicates a negative result. If the control line (C) is absent, the results are considered invalid, and the procedure should be repeated with another test kit.
