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Is Oraquick Test A Reliable Method For Detecting HIV?

Posted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014

Question: Hi,
I took an ora quick test a few days ago (oral swab) and it appeared negative. A few days later I went to discard the test and saw a very faint line in the t area. Subsequently, I took the test 2 more times and they turned out negative. I held these tests for a day and they have not changed. Why would the first change and not the others.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Elisa test

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome to health care magic.

Oraquick test is not reliable and inaccurate. It even tests positive in few false situations. False positives are common as it reacts with other chemicals in oral mucosa.

This tests almost immediately and does not take much time. This is not related to overexposure.

Please get ELISA test done for confirmation. This oraquick is not reliable and inaccurate.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (11 minutes later)

what about the fact that my second and third tests came up negative. Doen't that matter. My question was Is the first test overexposed because it is far past the window 20-40 minutes from when it should be read
how reliable is the negative result

Answered by Dr. Soumya (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Apologies for the late reply.

The possibility of negative test is high;but it doesn't rule it out. I say this because:

1. Overexposure since result was read late as you say.

2. These test are just a screening module and not reliable enough to make diagnosis.

Though other later 2 results were negative I recommend get it confirmed as the overexposure completely does not mean negative (it concludes as HIGH CHANCES OF NEGATIVE) but not negative with confirmation.

So please get ELISA soon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (12 hours later)

with first test, the result was negative at 20-40 minutes, but a few days later it showed a very faint partial line. The ora quick representatives said this is probably overdevelopment of the test. What do you know of this?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
delayed positive

Detailed Answer:
Hi

This tests when positive after a gap of 5 minutes is not reliable.

In your case it has tested positive after almost 40 min making overdevelopment. This has no meaning and not positive.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

so to clarify it would be deemed negative since it showed negative at the proper reading time?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes. It would be deemed negative.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad