Preparing to do the home HIV test

There are some basic preparations you'll need to make before taking the OraQuick® HIV test. Please follow the test directions carefully to get an accurate result.


Here are some recommendations to prepare:

  1. Do not eat, drink or use oral care products (such as mouthwash, toothpaste, or whitening strips) 30 minutes before starting this test.
  2. Always use the directions in the HIV home test kit to help read your results correctly.
  3. Make sure you have a timer, watch or something that can keep time 20 to 40 minutes.
  4. Remove dental products such as dentures or any other products that cover your gums
  5. It may be helpful to have access to a phone to speak directly with a support person.

Remember, this test detects HIV infection if used 3 months after a risk event. That's because OraQuick tests for HIV antibodies, and it takes your body up to 3 months to produce these antibodies at levels that can be detected.

Other important information:

Indicated for use in ages 17 and older.

If you’re known HIV positive or are on treatment or preventive treatment for HIV, the OraQuick test is not meant for you.

If you've participated in an HIV vaccine clinical trial, you may get a positive result using this test, but it may not mean that you are infected with HIV. You should seek follow-up with the research group.

Don't use the test if:

The tamper-evident seal has been broken or if any of the package contents are missing, broken, or have been opened.

The expiration date of the test is passed the date printed on the outside of the box.

The test has been exposed to household cleaning products.

The test has been stored outside the acceptable temperature of 36°-80° F (2°-27°C).


Reading your OraQuick In-Home results

Interpreting the test is simple. The below information explains how to tell when a test is negative or positive. Knowing your HIV status is an important part of your overall health. Regardless of your status, there are options for prevention and treatment to help keep you healthy. When performing a test, please refer to the package insert, inclusive of the warnings and precautions.

Negative Test

If there's one line next to the "C" and no line next to the "T", your result is negative.

Understanding Risk Event

Positive Test

If there are two complete lines, one next to the "C" and any line next to the "T"—even a faint line—you may have HIV.

HIV, Testing & Me 

Negative Result Explanation

If your result is negative and if it has been at least 3 months since you have had a risk event and you have followed the directions carefully, then you likely do not have HIV.

If your test result is negative and you engage in activities that put you at risk for HIV, you should test regularly.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that HIV is preventable. Understanding how you can avoid getting HIV is important to protect yourself and your partner(s).

Positive Result Explanation

If your result is positive, there are a couple of important things you should do next.
A clinic or healthcare professional must confirm your test result.
There are also some things that you should know about HIV that may ease some of the stress or confusion that you may be feeling:

  • You are not alone
  • Medical treatments are available to help people live long, healthy, lives
  • Having HIV does not mean that you have or will get AIDS

With new treatments, many people who are HIV-positive continue to live long and active lives. They are also able to have normal relationships with HIV-negative individuals without the risk of infecting them with the virus. Ongoing research is finding better ways to treat HIV nearly every day. The key is to identify the infection as early as possible before irreparable damage is done.


Warnings & Precautions

A positive result with this test does not mean that you are definitely infected with HIV, but rather that additional testing should be done in a medical setting.

A negative result with this test does not mean that you are definitely not infected with HIV, particularly when exposure may have been within the previous 3 months.

If your test is negative and you engage in activities that put you at risk for HIV on a regular basis, you should test regularly.

This product should not be used to make decisions on behavior that may put you at increased risk for HIV.

Understanding risk event >

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends being tested at least once a year if you do things that can result in HIV infection. These include:

  • Sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) with multiple sex partners
  • Sex with someone who is HIV positive or who’s HIV status you don’t know
  • Sex between a man and another man
  • Using illegal injected drugs or steroids
  • Shared needles or syringes
  • Exchanged sex for money
  • Having been diagnosed or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis or a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis.

Visit https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-testing/learn-about-hiv-testing/who-should-get-tested for more information.

Own your health, own your status, own your options.

With OraQuick In-Home HIV test you are in control of knowing your HIV status.

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Questions about HIV self testing or OraQuick HIV rapid test results? We are available 24/7 for any questions you have. Call our US support center toll-free at 1-866-436-6527.

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