I just had to comment, to clarify what appears to be some misunderstandings about HIV testing and HIV transmission.
The above detection card is nothing absolutely nothing novel in science. The exact same technology to detect HIV is used by thousands of clinicians and outreach programs throughout the country on a daily basis. For those of you who live in the gay areas of West Hollywood or Castro, you would know that outreach vans park in front of clubs, and offer 15 minute my swab hiv tests, more specifically called an "HIV RAPID TEST." It is similar to a pregnancy test, in that you swipe your inner cheeks with a dip-stick, you go have a drink in the bar, you come back out, and you either have no lines meaning HIV Free, or a line meaning HIV Positive antibodies were detected. Again, the card above is nothing novel, but rather interesting because of it's size and convenience, although Rapid dip sticks are just as small and convenient, and don't require draws of blood, only a mouth swab.
Secondly, all HIV test, even the most sophisticated and expensive HIV test in the world, knows as the NAAT HIV test will statistically have false results including false positives.
Third, an individual may have been recently infected with HIV, but may have not developed HIV antibodies yet. What does this mean? This means, your little bedroom hook-up buddy could test negative, although they are in fact positive, and still pass on the HIV virus. From the last time a person was sexually active, there is a 6 month window where this individual could have been infected with HIV yet test negative, however they can be completely infectious to others during this 6 month window. Basically what I'm trying to say, just because someone tests negative doesn't mean they are. If you test negative today, and you don't have any more sexual partners for 6 months, and you get retested again in 6 months, then you are most likely negative for sure.
An exception to the above is getting a NAAT test, which uses a different technology to detect HIV infection. Instead of testing for antibodies, NAAT detects HIV nucleic acid. What does this mean? This mean the 6 month window is reduced to 1-2 weeks. If you had sexual activity with someone, you wait 2 weeks without having sex with anyone else, and you get a NAAT test, if it shows up negative, you are most likely negative. The NAAT test is very sophisticated and expensive, so chances are your insurance or doctor will not offer or cover a NAAT test.
So again, this card is nothing revolutionary. Mouth swab dip stick "rapid" tests are used every single day in doctors offices, in HIV testing clinics, and even outside in-front of clubs and bars by HIV outreach programs.
Couple more things. HIV can be transmitted via oral sex, for both the individual receiving and giving oral sex. HIV can also be transmitted by kissing, although this is rather rare. HIV can also be transmitted by pre-cum or anal-oral play.
Remember to always use a condom, even if someone tested negative...there is that 6 month window, don't forget!
/taps foot while waiting for damn test so I can get my freak on! talk about a mood killer! LOL
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