HIV testing in Bangkok

[Ozgaz]

Do any reputable hospitals in Bangkok do quick turnaround HIV testing? I mean where you get an answer in a couple of days rather than a couple of weeks. Specific answers about where and how to organise would be appreciated.

[uk101]

Bumrungrad Hospital at 33 Sukhumvit 3 will get you results either same day or next day at the latest. I've forgotten the floor but just ask at reception and and they'll tell you where to go.

 

 

 

Good Luck

[Ozgaz]

Thanks very much.

[Guest]

There is also a saliva based hiv-test available. As far as I remember it is called "oraquick".

 

 

 

Good luck!

[Guest]

I have been there too, got the result within 45 minutes (less than THB 1000).

[Guest]

Although you can do the test with oralquick it still has to go to a laboratory to get the results. You can do this by post or by taking it to a clinic which has the equipement, either way it is not a true DIY kit and is expensive. Many places have ceased to sell it now.

 

 

[Guest]

There are home HIV tests that don't require you to send the test to a lab. You get the results with a saliva test for Oraquick in about 25 minutes. You can buy it at Bangkok clinics. Cost is about 400 baht per test ket.

[Guest]

For what it is worth, the latest info I have seen says oral tests are not as reliable. They can give false positives and false negatives.

 

 

[Guest]

 

 

If you remember where you saw this info could you metion it? Thanks.

 

 

 

The info I am aware of , from about 18 months ago, shows OraQuick is extremely accurate.

 

 

 

"Newer and better rapid tests are anticipated in 2001. These newer tests have the following advantages: they detect HIV-1 and HIV-2, they appear to be as accurate as standard serologic tests, they can be performed using saliva as well as blood, results are available in 10 minutes, and they can be read by the provider (Ann Intern Med 1999;131:4810; J Clin Microbiol 1999;37:3698; ASM News 2000;66:451). Initial results with OraQuick, a rapid test using saliva, in 219 seropositive persons and 779 seronegative persons showed sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.9% compared with standard serology (8th CROI, Chicago, Ill., February 2001, Abstract 232). "

 

 

 

(from

 

 

 

http://www.hopkins-aids.edu/publications/book/ch2_1_alternative.html)

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Below is from the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) site:

 

 

 

Q. How many different kits are available, and how do they work?

 

 

 

A. There are more than a dozen different HIV home test kits being advertised on the market today. Only the Home Access test system is FDA approved and legally marketed in the United States.

 

 

 

Because the Home Access test consists of multiple components, including materials for specimen collection, a mailing envelope to send the specimen to a laboratory for analysis, and includes pre- and post-test counseling, it is considered a testing system.

 

 

 

...The advertisers of the unapproved HIV home test kits claim that the presence of a visual indicator, such as a red dot, within 5 to 15 minutes of taking the test shows a positive result for HIV infection. These unapproved test kits use a simple finger prick process for home blood collection or a special sponge device for saliva collection. The blood or saliva sample is then added to a plastic testing device containing a special type of paper. A developing solution is added to determine if the sample is positive for HIV. The samples are not sent to a laboratory for professional analysis. Although this approach may seem faster and simpler, it may provide a less accurate result than can be achieved using an approved test, which is analyzed under more controlled conditions than is possible in the home.

 

 

 

 

 

Complete article:

 

 

 

http://www.fda.gov/cber/infosheets/hiv-home.htm