took a home rapid test

[surf18]

i dont know what section to put this in.
anyways took a home rapid test, my buddy took one too.
hes been neg and was neg on this test
i also tested neg on this test
been undetect for month or so
does anyone ever take a test again after being diagonsed.
not sure what this means pretty cool though to test neg none the less on the test.
i always thought the tests test for antibodies and either you have em or you dont right or wrong?
discuss.thanks

[wtfimpoz]

i dont know what section to put this in.
anyways took a home rapid test, my buddy took one too.
hes been neg and was neg on this test
i also tested neg on this test
been undetect for month or so
does anyone ever take a test again after being diagonsed.
not sure what this means pretty cool though to test neg none the less on the test.
i always thought the tests test for antibodies and either you have em or you dont right or wrong?
discuss.thanks

Are you saying you'd previously been confirmed as poz, and your home rapid test told you that you are neg?  Is it the FDA approved Home Access test or something else?

[surf18]

im saying yep i was diagnosed in june 2010.
started treatment in july
not sure if it was fda. looked just like the rapid test i took at the health dept back in june. watched the red line move just like in june.

[Ann]

Surf,

The ONLY approved home test is the Home Access. The test you used does not sound like a Home Access as you do not interpret the test results yourself. You have to send it in to the Home Access people and then call them a week or so after for your results.

Your friend needs to be retested either at a testing center or by using a Home Access test. He may have also gotten a false negative result. The unreliability of many of the home testing kits is why they are not approved.

Your friend can find a testing center near where he lives by going to the Health Services Directory at POZ.com. If he's been engaging in risky behaviour like unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, it's very important that he tests again with an APPROVED test at three months past his last risky encounter. This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is obvious the test you two used is seriously flawed.

Oh, and yes, once you test hiv positive, you will always test hiv positive. The home test you used is wrong. In fact, you should report them. I would.

[surf18]

Thank you!

[Ann]

Thank you!

You're welcome, Surf. Please make sure your friend re-tests using an approved test. If he still wants to go the home test route, make sure he gets a Home Access test. They can be bought online or at most drug stores in the US. It's really important that he accurately knows his hiv status. I'd hate to think he got a false negative and thinks he's ok. Please, please make sure he re-tests!