Why must I test?
By testing for HIV you are helping break its cycle. Knowing your HIV status you get access to powerful information that helps “turn on the light”. Testing for HIV has the power to slow down and even prevent the spread of HIV infection.
If you test positive you can access life-saving treatment and can continue to live your life.
Why do we use BioSURE?
We have tried and tested this ourselves. It is easy. It is empowering. It is 99.7% accurate if used correctly.
This test is CE marked and is approved and available in South Africa through many including us.
PRIVATE
All orders are packaged and delivered privately. There is no display of HIV SELF TEST at any stage during the order process.
All personal information and order data supplied by customers shall be processed in accordance with South African data protection legislation and in accordance with the TALK.TEST.TREAT privacy policy.
All purchases and payments will reflect as a payment to Blue Roof Life Space.
PRECAUTIONS
The BioSURE HIV Self-Test may not detect HIV infections that have occurred within the last 3 months.
The test accurate but only if you perform the test correctly. It is essential you carefully read and follow all of the instructions. (If you do make a mistake, don’t panic, you will get no result).
The test must be stored at room temperature, but not above 30C. Do not store in direct sunlight.
The test is not suitable if you are receiving active retroviral treatment (ART).
Do not read your test result after 1 hour of performing the test.
BioSURE HIV Self Test is a single use, It will only work with a sample of whole human blood.
CHECK
Are your hands clean and dry before starting the test?
Is the environment where you will perform the test light and bright so you can perform your test and read the results easily?
Before opening the foil pouch, check that it is not damaged. (Do not use your test if the pouch is torn or damaged in any way). Please phone or contact us via our contact form.
Check that the expiry date of the test has not passed.
Only open the BioSURE HIV Self Test foil pouch when you are ready to perform the test.
How do I use it?
PRICK
Remove the buffer pot from the end of your BioSURE HIV Self test device and place it in the hole in the tray.
Remove the lid from the end of the safety lancet.
Place the red pad against your finger (on the upper side of your index finger is the best place, avoid the pad of your finger if possible as this is where all the nerve endings are!)
Push down until you hear a click.
The lancet will make a tiny prick in your skin.
You might need to gently squeeze you finger to produce a small, round drop of blood.
NB - Please note the lancet will only work once, after that it is broken.
SUCK
Touch the tip of your test device onto the drop of blood until the tip automatically fills.
It only takes a second. Watch the blood get sucked up.
You now have enough blood to run your test.
POKE
Pierce the foil top of the buffer pot with the tip of the test device and PUSH DOWN HARD. It is important that you push the test down to the bottom of the buffer pot until you can't push it any further.
Start timing 15 minutes. The test needs to remain upright in the box while it runs.
After 3 minutes check to see that your test is running. If it's not, make sure the device is pushed right to the bottom of the buffer pot.
After 15 minutes your test will be completed and you will be able to move on to read your result.
Reading the Result.
READY
After 15 minutes your test will be finished and you are now ready to read the results.
Open the last page of your “How To Test Guide”. You will see a cut out hole in the shape of your test device.
Take your test device that is standing up in the box and lay it down in the cut out hole with the blue writing facing you.
Compare your test device to the images on either side.
SET
If only one line (the control line) is set and visible your test result is negative.
If two lines are set and visible on your test device your test result is positive.
Although your BioSURE HIV Self Test is very accurate you MUST have this result confirmed by a healthcare professional.
If no lines are set or visible, your test has not been performed correctly.
GO
Don’t panic. HIV is a treatable. Knowing your HIV status you can get going and you can access treatment immediately. The earlier you start, the better the result.
If you believe your test result is incorrect or you were exposed to HIV within the past 3 months, it is recommended you test again within the next 6-13 weeks or go and see a healthcare professional.
The Positive Plan.
Positive? Don’t panic. Let us help you make a plan. Click Here to book a support session with us.
If your test result is positive, you must have your test result confirmed by a healthcare professional. Go to your local clinic or general practitioner or call the National AIDS hotline on 0800 012 322 which is run by LifeLine, who we are in partnership with.
Negotiate the Negative.
A negative result means that this test did not find any signs of HIV infection. Though this test is negative, you still need to do three things to negotiate or find your way to stay negative. To stay negative you need to “Confirm it”, “Notify it” and “Prevent it”.
CONFIRM IT
Most HIV tests can only detect HIV one to three months after exposure. If you have been at risk since your last test, before this one, then you will need to test again to confirm your result.
NOTIFY IT
When you test negative for HIV, it doesn’t mean that your partner/s are HIV-negative. One test, one person. HIV tests only apply to the person who took the test. If any of your previous or current partners are worried about HIV, encourage them to take a test.
PREVENT IT
The best way to protect yourself from HIV is to use a condom, stay faithful to one partner where you know each others status and go for circumcision if you are a male.
