Online hiv test kits

normaldude

Don’t have the time to go to std clinic and find them a bit invasive, so brought a few hiv test kits online, found them very easy to use, just wondering if anyone else has done this? The website seem to be a reliable source!

Ten of Swords

No, I still get a full screening done every few months (slightly less often now that I'm in a monogamous relationship) but from what I know of these home test kits they are good provided they are bought from a reputable supplier. DrEd and Superdrug would be the best known suppliers in Ireland I think.

Remember that HIV is not the only STI to think about so be mindful of your sexual health.

CreativeSen

If you are in Dublin you could pop along to Panti when they are doing the rapid test on weekends, in and out in less than 10 mins (5 mins if you dont want to do the survey). They also have trained counsellors onsite if you get a result you dont want, better than being at home on your own for that.

Ash885

CreativeSen wrote: »

If you are in Dublin you could pop along to Panti when they are doing the rapid test on weekends, in and out in less than 10 mins (5 mins if you dont want to do the survey). They also have trained counsellors onsite if you get a result you dont want, better than being at home on your own for that.

I thought the funding for that project has long gone and they've stopped?

normaldude

Maybe if these test kits were more widely available people would know there hiv status and act on it, agree other sexual diseases have to be watched maybe go for a full screening once a year too, but is not hiv the most worrying sti?

CreativeSen

Ash885 wrote: »

I thought the funding for that project has long gone and they've stopped?

Its back. They ran into an issue as they were operating under GLEN but when that closed they had to stop their services. They are now back doing it and operating under (I think) HIV Ireland.

Ash885

CreativeSen wrote: »

Its back. They ran into an issue as they were operating under GLEN but when that closed they had to stop their services. They are now back doing it and operating under (I think) HIV Ireland.

Ah I am delighted to hear that!

wordofwarning

normaldude wrote: »

Maybe if these test kits were more widely available people would know there hiv status and act on it, agree other sexual diseases have to be watched maybe go for a full screening once a year too, but is not hiv the most worrying sti?

These kits in Ireland are the old standard for HIV kits. A proper blood HIV test sent to lab can detect HIV fairly accurately by day 14. An older HIV test is a few weeks after that

Having other STIs is a major factor in contracting HIV. Even minor STI can significantly increase your risk of getting HIV. It is also not fair on your partners that you only get tested once a year. You could have a serious STI like Syphilis and be passing it to partners for a year

If you don't like STI tests, as they are "invasive". Then don't have sex. It is not fair to others that you are exposing them to STIs that you have potentially collected over a year, as you don't like a minor clinic visit

LLMMLL

wordofwarning wrote: »

These kits in Ireland are the old standard for HIV kits. A proper blood HIV test sent to lab can detect HIV fairly accurately by day 14. An older HIV test is a few weeks after that

Having other STIs is a major factor in contracting HIV. Even minor STI can significantly increase your risk of getting HIV. It is also not fair on your partners that you only get tested once a year. You could have a serious STI like Syphilis and be passing it to partners for a year

If you don't like STI tests, as they are "invasive". Then don't have sex. It is not fair to others that you are exposing them to STIs that you have potentially collected over a year, as you don't like a minor clinic visit

Just out of interest what's the recommended number of clinic visits per year for a sexually active person with no symptoms?

wordofwarning

LLMMLL wrote: »

Just out of interest what's the recommended number of clinic visits per year for a sexually active person with no symptoms?

STIs are often asymptomatic. A lot of people who get HIV only realise they have it, when they take a test.

Most Doctors who work in GUM clinics would say you should get tested every 3 months. AFAIK the likes of the GMHS tell you to get tested every 6 months. But it is not what most health authorities recommend. I would hazard the policy of getting tested every 6 months here is due to the horrific underfunding of STI services