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A new research says that a gum swab test used to spot HIV is as precise as the conventional blood screening test. For their analysis researchers from McGill University, Quebec compared five international studies, they found The OraQuick gum swab test was ninety-nine percent accurate for diagnosing HIV in high risk individuals.
The new test is ninety-seven percent accurate for diagnosing HIV in low risk populations. The OraQuick HIV1/2 made by OraSure Technologies does not use saliva, instead absorbs antibodies straightforwardly from the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the mouth. The test spins out HIV antibodies, if they are present, from the tissues of the cheek and gum just within twenty minutes.
High risk individuals stimulate the spreading out of HIV epidemics but they face widespread discrimination, violence and social marginalization from healthcare services. According to UNAIDS estimation about ninety percent of people have lack access to the most basic sexual health services.
Testing is the cornerstone of prevention, treatment and care strategies, explained study author leader Dr Nitika Pant Pai at McGill University. Though earlier studies have shown that the oral fluid-based OraQuick HIV1/2 test has great promise, but they are the first to assess its potential at an international level.
The oral HIV test has become one of the most popular tests because of its adequacy and simplicity of use. The OraQuick HIV1/2 test is non-invasive, pain-free, and convenient. Getting people to show up for HIV testing at public clinics has been difficult as of visibility, stigma, lack of privacy and discrimination.
However, a private testing alternative such as self-testing could bring an end to the stigmatization associated with HIV testing, added Dr Pai. The new research has major insinuations for countries those wish to espouse self-testing strategies for HIV. The study findings reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Te study’s co-author Dr Rosanna Peeling from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine stated, oral HIV tests can be a powerful instrument for high risk populations, but self-testing must be accompanied by linkage to care to achieve good health outcomes.
(http://www.thehealthage.com)
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