Preparing to do the HIV self-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 time 20 to 40 minutes.
4. 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 by this test.

Other important information:

You must be 12 or older to use this test. In certain geographic regions, children 2 and up may be tested with the OraQuick HIV Self-Test if administered by a health care professional. See country-specific packaging for more details on age restrictions.

If you're 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 2°-30°C (36°-86°F).

Reading your OraQuick Self-Test results

Interpreting the test is very 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 Instructions for Use, 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.

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.