How to use saliva test strips

Technology is becoming more and more advanced, including in the medical field. In the past, you had to go to the hospital for a check-up to find out if you were pregnant, but now you just need to go to the pharmacy and buy a pregnancy test strip or a pregnancy test stick. AIDS, which is a common headache for everyone, can also be tested through saliva test strips. Many people doubt the accuracy of the test results. Let us all witness it together.

The saliva test paper "sample" is called "Oral Mucosal Exudate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (1/2) Antibody Detection Kit". Each of the 10 individual packaging bags in the box contains a test tube with sample diluent, a test strip, and a "pop-ice cream stick" with a cloth strip at one end (professionally called an oral swab).

During the test, the cloth pad on the end of the oral swab is used to wipe the upper and lower gum lines of the subject. The swab is then inserted into a test tube containing a diluent. Sampling is completed when the swab is completely immersed in the diluent. Next, place the test strip in a test tube and observe for 20 minutes, then make a judgment based on the “performance” of the test strip. If one red line appears on the test strip, the test is negative; if two red lines appear, the test result is positive. The entire operation process takes less than 30 minutes. Compared with traditional blood testing methods, saliva test strips have several advantages in initial screening. Traditional blood tests require that blood samples be taken back to the laboratory, which takes a long time and puts medical staff at certain risk of occupational exposure. In addition, discarded blood samples need to go through a series of procedures for safe disposal. Any problem in any link may lead to infection.

Since HIV antibodies are present not only in the blood but also in body fluids such as saliva, tears and urine, initial screening can be performed by detecting antibodies in saliva samples. Using saliva test strips for testing can not only avoid risks, but also protect the privacy of infected people to the greatest extent. Those in need can undergo initial screening at home.

It is important to note that saliva testing is only the initial screening stage of HIV antibody testing. If the test result is positive, you will need to go to a designated hospital for confirmatory testing.

Saliva test strips are indeed very convenient to use, and the results are easy to observe. It is best to do the test more than twice, because sometimes the results may be inaccurate. If the test result is positive, it means that you may be infected with HIV. At this time, you must go to a regular hospital for another test. If so, receive treatment according to the medical regulations.