Making HIV testing more accessible to the public seems like a great idea. But I agree with the FDA that a new home test for the AIDS virus being debated by an expert panel is cause for concern. False negatives are a problem. And surreptitiously obtaining saliva seems like it might make testing someone without their knowledge a real risk, a violation of privacy like no other . What do you think? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
A vote is expected this afternoon. Read HERE.
UPDATE: The panel unanimously recommended sale of the over-the-counter test. The FDA still has to decide whether to approve it. Check out the panel's reasoning HERE.
1 comment:
The "I'm positive and now I'm going to kill myself" argument is as old as the original prognosis. That assumption needs to change as well. Is a home test the ideal way - no - but just like home pregnancy tests, it will get many more people tested and eventually into treatment. A home test may be the baby step many need to get the help they need.
As for the increasing bb activity - that ship has sailed - they tried saying that about the RrEP meds too and in this case, if it is used to increase bb activity (hey if we test neg then we can go bare) then more infected people will now their status.
It is worrisome that the test has greater accuracy concerns then simply using the same test clinics and doctors do.
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