HIV Test and STD Testing Guide Chlamydia Test, AIDS Test and Test HIV Info Source

HIV Test and STD Testing Guide

by hivtest

Almost no one wants to have to purchase an HIV Test or std testing kit.  They cost money, they’re a hassle and, depending on the circumstances, can open doors to some pretty dark places.  Let’s face reality though, in this day and age, they’re not going to go away.     Since STDs and HIV appear to be here to stay, let’s try to make the process of detection a bit easier with some Free Information and some guidance as to which STD Testing products are the best, most accurate and most cost effective.  If you’re going to pay for a HIV Test or STD testing kit, you obviously want it to be accurate, but that doesn’t always equate to paying the highest price.

A little information to help you decipher our rating and comparisons chart:  As we go through STD testing kit reviews, we’ll give you the name of the HIV Test or STD test, whether it is a Urine or Blood Test (U or B), whether you can do the entire test at Home (H), or you can do the Sample and Home and send it to a Lab for results (H/L), or if you have no choice but to go into a Lab for the entire testing procedure (L),  and the Time you’ll need to wait for your test results – with more details on everything in the actual full review.

HivStdTesting.net is NOT owned by any of the merchants that we refer you to for the purchase of these std tests.  We look for great pricing and service and the merchants that we refer to can change at any time.  This is one of the reasons that we like to get reader feedback.   Regardless of why you search for an hiv test or std testing kits and std information, we are set up to help out.  This site lists some of the top std test kits on the net for a hiv test, chlamydia test, herpes test, syphilis test, hepatitis test and and tells you where you can buy std testing kits online, without getting ripped off.  We’ll also provide a ton of content and much more.  Stick around and come back often.

Home HIV Test Review

by hivtest

These days it is easy to get a HIV test done at home, if you are suspecting that you may have contracted this disease somehow or just possibly been exposed.  A lot of times people think its taboo to go in for an STD test, but if you are sexually active and have had unprotected sex with multiple partners or shared drug injection equipment it is very important for you to test HIV. Sometimes people just spend days and even years worrying about the consequences, if word gets around about an HIV test being performed on them. But this is really no excuse, especially in today’s day and age.

At the privacy of your home

If you have any reasons to believe that you may have contracted this disease, test HIV as soon as you can. You need not even worry about going to a clinic or a lab, because now you can do an HIV test in the privacy of your home. You can even choose to take the test anonymously and receive your results within 1-3 working days.

You can order a Home HIV test online. Once you place your order you will receive a package within a maximum of three working days. Once you have received the package read and understand the instructions carefully before you take the test HIV. Although no special preparation needs to be taken to do this test, you will have to give an accurate blood sample.

You can then mail back the sample in the prepaid and prelabelled package that has already been sent to you. The sample is sent to an FDA approved lab, where it is then scrutinised to find out whether or not you have contracted this disease. On behalf of the lab, absolute confidentiality will be maintained, and you can be rest assured that it will not even show up in your insurance records.

How to keep things confidential

If you really want to be discreet about taking the test HIV you have to exercise some caution from your end too. Don’t just keep the packaging for the HIV lying around casually in the garbage, conceal it properly before you dispose it. Also in a home HIV test, a test ID card is provided to you. If you do not want anybody at home to know that a test HIV has been done, make sure that nobody finds this id. Anybody who has access to this ID can easily call up and find the results.

If you do not test positive, your worries will be over and you can carry on with life as usual without any fear. But just in case you do test positive, do not think that all is lost. Most of these online labs provide help in terms of STD counselling and even physician referral so you can sign on for help immediately. It is also a time when you will need emotional support, so it is recommended that your share your woes with a trusted confidante at this point in time. Whatever the results might be, do  not postpone taking an HIV test any longer.

Basic STD Test Review

by hivtest

STD testing is the basic step towards awareness of the disease. You will have to find out if you are infected with STD. some STDs may be curable, but before this you will have to find out whether you are infected with STD. in case of those STDs that are not curable, you need to know of the presence of the virus also. This is because in spite of being infected by the virus you may medically keep yourself prepared so that the virus does not attack the immune system and make you very sick. Some of the common STDs are Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, Oral and Genital HSV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Trichomoniasis.

About the Basic STD Test package

STD Testing at home is being increasingly popular simply because it provides privacy and makes the testing confidential. You can buy the kit online and get the results online. You choose the password with which you can access the results restricting anybody else from knowing about it. It is safe and reliable method to find out if there is a virus in your body. The basic STD testing package contains a sample collection material and a pre-paid postal box. You get an instruction manual where you get to know of all that is arising in your mind. You will have to collect the urine sample and/or blood samples in the container provided and send it by the pre-paid postal box. You can drop it in the mail anywhere and it will reach the destined clinic for examination where it will be first tested in the laboratory and then it will be cross checked by a physician.  All the tests are carried out in accredited laboratories so that the tests are genuine.   The STD Tests included in a Basic STD Test are:  HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis.  However, if you can go to a local lab for your sample, the Basic STD Test can include:  HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Genital Herpes and this option is actually much more comprehensive and affordable.

Where to get started?

Detection of the disease is the most important part. To get started, after you have confirmed the presence of any std or virus, you will have to immediately see a physician. He will adequately send you to a specialist who will carry on further tests to find out the type of virus. He will then prescribe you adequate medicines to get you rid of the ailment. You can miss your chances if you do not get tested, even chances of survival may be at jeopardy.  Very often the cases are diagnosed in such advanced stages that there are not ways of going back. Early detection also helps in stopping the disease from spreading further. Antibiotics are usually used for curable STDs and the physician may also prescribe you a medicine for local application. With more severe STD cases as HIV the doctor prescribes medicines that will build your immune system so that you are healthy.

There are many companies that are marketing STD test kits. Most of them are genuine and provide you with ninety per cent assured results, but there are products in the market that may not be very genuine. So before buying a product do remember to find the reviews and genuineness. There are special sites regarding STDs and you can log on to them to gather adequate knowledge on the matter.

Rapid Home HIV Test Review

by hivtest

An HIV test is a must in today’s world; We, normally, come across cases where people have been suffering from HIV for quite a long period of time but they never realized it. In order to get rid of such problems, the person should test HIV at regular intervals just like the regular medical checkup that people undertake at regular intervals.

Types of HIV testing

There are two ways to test HIV, one is, by enzyme immunoassay and the other is, Rapid HIV test.

1. By Enzyme immunoassay, the person will have to take a blood test and then the blood will be examined and after a day or two in a lab setting, the reports will be given to the person.
2. In a Rapid HIV test, the person can undertake the test and the results will be given in maximum half an hour, and many times this can all be done at home.

Types of Rapid HIV test

There are various methods used to do rapid HIV testing. People, today, are showing their interest in this HIV test because of the quick results that they get. The types of Rapid HIV test are as follows: -

1. Oraquick – this HIV test is performed with the help of paddle and by this method, HIV 1 as well as HIV 2 can be detected. The samples that can be used to test HIV are plasma, blood or saliva. The paddle is impregnated with protein so when the sample is placed on the paddle, the sample mixes with the protein in the paddle and displays a red line if the result is positive.
2. Rapid HIV Urine Test – this HIV test is a little less complicated than the previous one because the test samples that are to be used are to be a simple urine sample. The urine is placed on the cartridge that contains protein then the sample of the HIV mixes with the protein and a red line tends to get displayed if the result is considered a preliminary positive.
3. Rapid HIV Blood Test – this HIV test requires blood, plasma or serum from the venipuncture or finger stick as the sample for the test to be conducted. Then the sample is filled in the well of the test strip then the sample in the test strip tends to turn red if the result is positive.

The positive results of any of these types of HIV test needs to be verified by getting a blood test done in a lab because there is a possibility that it may be wrong, or inaccurate.   A “Confirmatory Test” should follow up any positive Rapid HIV Test and should consist of either a Western Blot test or an IFA test.

Advantages of Rapid HIV testing

The most important advantage that a person tends to get from rapid HIV testing is the immediate reports that they receive. Apart from that, the few other advantages are as follows: -

1. This HIV test is less expensive than that of the other regular HIV test.
2. Due to less time consumption, the test can be conducted on regular basis and the infection can be found at an earlier stage.

Rapid HIV testing helps people to test HIV quickly and hence, this test can be conducted regularly and many of these tests can be conducted at home as well.  This sort of test is perfect for someone who really wouldn’t go to the lengths to do the HIV testing otherwise, or would like to do testing on a regular basis at home with immediate results.

Complete STD Test Review

by hivtest

STD refers to sexually transmitted diseases. It can happen to anybody from any age group and irrespective of gender. Although it is spread by sexual intercourse, in the past years there has been a considerable rise in the quantity of STD infected people. All people who have multiple sex partners and do not follow safe sex are vulnerable to STDs. The only way to stop STDS from spreading is awareness of the disease as well as treatment in the first place.

Need for the STD test

The STD test is very important because detection in the early stage of an std can save you from a lot of complications. This is the prime reason for STD testing and if you want to feel peace in mind, you must find out if you are infected with an STD.  Many STDs are curable and if you take precautions and medicine in a proper way you may get rid of them.  Some STDs are not curable yet awareness of the disease virus may help you to build your immune system so that you may not develop additional complications and infect others. There are various STDs such as Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia that can be treated and gotten rid of. Certain virus causing STDs as HIV cannot be cured but surely you can lead a healthy life with proper medication. Usually either urine or blood is tested for presence of antibodies which point to the presence of some virus in the body.

Most convenient and safest

STD Testing can be done in many clinics scattered throughout the world. They are very convenient and can provide you with the results in matter of three days. But most people shy away from testing. The reason is that STDs are not seen as common diseases in the society. Those infected are seen as inferior. This is the reason people are very secretive about testing for STD so they do not go to clinics.  The government has taken additional care to ensure that the identity of the person tested is never disclosed. In fact the person who wants to test need not disclose any identification. Still people do not turn up for fear of losing privacy.

The home STD test kit or package is for those people who do not want to visit clinics or go out to a lab. The kit can be bought online and you will have to send the sample to the clinic. All the necessary items are provided in the kit. Even the address of the clinic is etched in the pre-paid postal box container to collect the sample. You have to drop it only at the nearest mail box. The sample is tested in accredited laboratories and clarified by a physician before providing the results to you.  However, the limitations of a home std testing kit is that it is not comprehensive as there are some things that you simply can’t be tested for, or do the sampling for properly, at home.  This is why a Complete STD Test may be a good choice for someone that wants a thorough STD work up.

By getting a Complete STD Test, you are able to be tested for all of the major STDs, get accurate results and have peace of mind going forward.  A Complete STD Test includes STD testing for:

• HIV Test
• Chlamydia Test
• Syphilis Test
• Gonorrhea Test
• Oral Herpes Test
• Genital Herpes Test
• Hepatitis B Test
• Hepatitis C Test

The testing can be paid for online and the sampling done quickly with just one visit to a local lab.  Because this does not go through insurance, you are assured total privacy for your testing and std test results.  When you order your test, you set your online account password and you only can check the result after three days.  Keep one thing in mind.  There are many products in the market that are being marketed in the name of STD testing kits. Beware of fake and inaccurate STD test kits!  If you are looking for a thorough, private and accurate Complete STD Test, this would be the one to go for.

Difference Between a HIV Blood Test and HIV Urine Test and Reliability

by hivtest

HIV is a deadly virus that attracts the immune system of the body. Till date there is no possible way to kill the virus and the only way to be safe from it is not allowing it to be transmitted in your body. This is the worst STDs as for now and one must be very careful to not get infected.

But what happens if you want to find out whether or not you are infected? It is important that you know that you are infected or not to take adequate measures before your immune system is broken down. There are many ways to detect HIV in the blood. There are even choices as whether you want to go to the clinic or simply do it at home. The test in the clinic is done extremely confidentially and the privacy of the patient is maintained. Basically you can test HIV by blood tests, urine tests and nucleic acid tests.

Blood test

Blood test is by far the most reliable test for HIV. A blood sample is collected from the person and tested for antibodies. If antibodies are present then the person is positive. ELISA test is the most common and only when the person shows positive for ELISA he is sent for Western Blot test. By far the most reliable test is the blood test. It can conform for sure whether or not the person is infected. ELISA test determines the level of immune cells in the body and the increase of the immune cells state the presence of the virus. One point that is to be noted is that this test is sensitive to other viruses too like the common cold virus. At this point the blood sample is sent for a western blot test.

Urine test

A urine sample too can be tested for HIV. This test detects the falling level of antibodies in the urine. Lower antibody level may suggest that that some virus may have affected you. This can mean presence of an HIV virus but it does not state anything for certain. If such is the case the patient will have to carry on other tests for confirming the virus. The test is fast and does not too much of time for giving the results. This method is usually used in free clinics and for anonymous testing.

Both urine test and blood test have their pros and cons. Blood test is very specific test for HIV. It will surely tell you the presence of any virus in the blood and on further test can reveal HIV. It is the most reliable test. But urine HIV test is not very reliable though it does suggest some malfunction in the body. You will have to carry on with further tests if you suspect the virus. But this test can be done within the limits of a clinic and anonymously. You need not meet the doctor and get an appointed to get it tested. Moreover this test is mostly preferred by people who are scared of getting pricked.

Test HIV either with kits or by blood tests and start medication at once to help your immune system!

HIV Testing Laws and the Release of HIV Test Results

by hivtest

HIV/AIDS has been affecting many people in the world and there are a large number of people asking a lot of questions about this infection. It was first recognized in the world in 1981 and ever since a lot of information about HIV as been spread all over the world. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that can also lead to AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. No specific cure for HIV has ever been discovered but medicines that can help improve health of people living with this disease are available. It is not very easy to detect a person with this disease, but through a HIV test, one can easily find out whether she or he has HIV.

These days due to the increased rate of people getting HIV/AIDS on a daily or yearly basis, many organizations and states have come up with ways of curbing the infections. For instance, in some states doctors and laboratories are required to report to the health department the names and number of individuals with HIV infection, illness and also AIDS. The whole HIV testing process is voluntary in most states. To get a HIV test, the testing laws emphasize that one should be willing and not forced to do so, in addition, one should also not be forced to give the names of his or her partners. When it comes to disclosing the names of your partners especially if you test HIV positive, you should work with the doctor and know how you can notify your partners. Some laws require and emphasize HIV testing to take place either as confidential HIV testing or anonymous testing, that is mostly done in special clinics and one is not required to give his or her name.

Release of the HIV test results in most cases depends on the counseling one has received. Conventional HIV test result release usually takes time, about a week or two, although there are rapid test results that can be released within 20 minutes. To conclude, HIV testing and result release laws vary from one state to another and all health departments should understand and employ these laws.

They are basically for people with no alternative health insurance. The HIV testing done in these clinics are quick, easy and convenient. You can call up the clinic and make an appointment. Usually, you need to have a blood test done and then you have to wait for results. You can get the results in a few days. However, you need to be ready to hear any kind of news and do not lose heart if it is positive. People do not die instantly and can live a long life with certain precautions.

Today, you can never tell who has got HIV and so it is better to check out and confirm it. Therefore, if you have any doubt about it then you should get tested and have peace of mind. Generally, to get infected with HIV it takes at least 6 months. The test is basically done so that you can take special care if you are infected and do not spread it.

Top 10 States With the Highest STD Rate

by hivtest

Top 10 States With Highest Sexual Disease Rate Infographic by getSTDtested.com

Some STD Fast Facts

by hivtest

Some of us need convincing that STDs are serious and that STD Testing is a must.  There must be some hint or you wouldn’t be here.  However, if not thoroughly convinced, take a look at some of these STD Fast Fact and then head back to our Home Page and start making some STD Test and HIV Test choices.

• Estimated number of Americans living with an STD: 65 million
• Number of new cases of STDs every year: 19 million
• Number of Americans who will get an STD in their lifetime:  1 in 4
• Number of unsafe sexual contacts it takes to get an STD:  1
• Number of Americans who have genital herpes:  45 million
• Percentage of Americans who have herpes and do not know it: 35%
• Seconds it takes for a new person gets genital herpes:  30
• Number of people living with HIV/AIDS in America:  468,578
• Percentage of those people who are African-American: 44%
• Number of people living with HIV who have not been diagnosed:  1 in 5
• Maximum number of days it takes to detect HIV with a DNA by PCR test: 28
• Estimated total number of cases of Chlamydia each year: 4,000,000
• Percentage of women living with Chlamydia who do not know it: 75%
• Estimated cost of Chlamydia complications in the U.S. each year: $2,000,000,000
• Average cost of antibiotic to treat a case of Chlamydia: $15
• Percentage of people who have gonorrhea in the throat and do not know it:  90%



• Percentage of people who have syphilis, do not know it, and develop complications years later: 33%
• Estimated increased risk of acquiring HIV if infected with syphilis: 5 times
• Percentage of IV drug users who are infected with Hepatitis B: 30%
• Percentage of IV drug users who are infected with Hepatitis C: 85%
• Percentage of straight men and women who have had sex with more than 5 people in the last 6 months who have Hepatitis B: 21%
• Number of people out of 100 infected with Hepatitis C who will develop chronic infection:  80
• Every day in America, 12,000 teenagers contract a sexually transmitted disease.
• One in four teen girls has a sexual disease, with HPV (human papillomavirus) by far being the most common.
• Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
• It’s 100 times easier to get Hepatitis B than HIV the virus that causes AIDS.
• There are more people infected with Hepatitis C than HIV.
• There is now a vaccine that prevents some types of HPV. The vaccine is given in three shots over six months and is recommended for females aged 13-26 who have not been diagnosed with HPV. Most major insurances cover the cost, which is currently $125 per shot.
• A condom merely reduces—but does not eliminate—the risk of an STD.

What Are the Testing Windows for the Most Common STDs

by hivtest

Presently with innumerable availing online STD testing centers, the STD test has become instant and quite reliable. These online STD test centers can unbelievably provide accurate results within 2 to 3 days. The testing STD fees are quite affordable and are highly dependent upon the type of test that is to be carried out. Moreover, a patient has to effectively speak to a counselor in order to achieve the best STD testing option.

Revealing testing windows for prevalent STDs

The testing windows are essentially regarded as the time period prior to an STD showing up in the test after the patient is being exposed to the related STD infection. This time period varies with each kind of STD infection. The time period for a bacterial STDs constituting Chlamydia and gonorrhea is approximately 72 hours from minimal exposure. The STD testing window time period for the STDs that are type specific such as Herpes, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis is approximately 15 days from minimal exposure.   The table below shows specifics:

Revealing online STD testing providers

Today, the online STD testing providers are offering the STD testing results within the same day. A patient will be offered a local STD center in less than 15 minutes. These online STD testing providers also avail their telephone for easy and optimal assistance to the patients. There are over 1600 STD testing laboratories nationwide in order to help patients confidentially as well as instantly. To avail the nearest STD testing location a patient has to call the toll free number provided by these online STD testing providers. In addition, a patient can access his or her results by simply calling the provided toll free number.

All the variable kinds of STD test are undoubtedly integrated with their own tests that are unique. An HIV test is carried out via DNA test or antibody screening of HIV. These specific tests for HIV are not able to detect the other prevalent STDs such as syphilis or herpes. However, for a generalized checkup for all the common STDs, a patient requires a test panel. This panel of testing is a group of tests that are carried out for the commonly occurring STDs that are run at the same period of time. This panel testing comprises of comprehensive eight tests of panel which includes Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C,  herpes simplex virus type I IgG, herpes simplex virus type II IgG, antibody test for HIV-1 and syphilis rapid plasma regain test.

Besides, there is screening of bacteria which includes Chlamydia, gonorrhea amplification tests and total urinalysis. The panel for early detection includes Chlamydia, gonorrhea hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus type I and II IgG, herpes early detection, HIV DNA and RPR test. The STD testing is bound to take less than 15 minutes. If patient is tested positive then optimal treatment will be provided to a patient by an authenticated counselor. The online STD testing providers are guaranteed to provide a STD patient best possible STD test and treatment options.

Of course, these are the options for a comprehensive test in a lab setting.  There are a multitude of other options, including many individual tests that can be done in the comfort of your own home.  Read our std testing reviews and go over the chart on the home page for further details.