Annoyomous Testing by AFA Accurate?

[LENS]

just want to share something with everyone.

i go to Annoyomous Testing by AFA almost every 3 months to check on my status.

however, recently, from what my friends and i have experienced, the testing time is getting shorter and shorter.

from the time the pricking of finger to results released by the AFA staff, was between 9 to 11 minutes.

it used to be 15 to 20 mins and thats what the AFA website state.

now, im starting to doubt/worry that the Annoyomous Testing by AFA is it accurate or not?

another thing is that the AFA staff do not seem to want to explain how the test strip works, or what type of test it is etc.

so, AFA, care to explain to us?

[peanut123]

Originally Posted by LENS

just want to share something with everyone.

i go to Annoyomous Testing by AFA almost every 3 months to check on my status.

however, recently, from what my friends and i have experienced, the testing time is getting shorter and shorter.

from the time the pricking of finger to results released by the AFA staff, was between 9 to 11 minutes.

it used to be 15 to 20 mins and thats what the AFA website state.

now, im starting to doubt/worry that the Annoyomous Testing by AFA is it accurate or not?

another thing is that the AFA staff do not seem to want to explain how the test strip works, or what type of test it is etc.

so, AFA, care to explain to us?

I'm not from AFA, but I can guess what is happening. As time goes by, technology improves and the test becomes more sensitive. The 20 minute guideline did not change, probably because nobody bothered to update it, and that its still better to overstate the time then to understate.

On the test strip, there are 2 white sections. A red line in one of the white sections ( i think the one nearer the colored section ) indicates that the strip is working fine. As long as that line appears, I think it means the results can be read.

The other white section also has a line but this line only shows up if you test positive for HIV. So, if you are negative, you will only see 1 red line ( as above ), and if there are 2 red lines, it means you have HIV.

[coolfire69]

Originally Posted by peanut123

I'm not from AFA, but I can guess what is happening. As time goes by, technology improves and the test becomes more sensitive. The 20 minute guideline did not change, probably because nobody bothered to update it, and that its still better to overstate the time then to understate.

On the test strip, there are 2 white sections. A red line in one of the white sections ( i think the one nearer the colored section ) indicates that the strip is working fine. As long as that line appears, I think it means the results can be read.

The other white section also has a line but this line only shows up if you test positive for HIV. So, if you are negative, you will only see 1 red line ( as above ), and if there are 2 red lines, it means you have HIV.

I totally agree with what bro peanut123 stated - technology improves with time...

Anyway, i just did my test at AFA yesterday, for HIV & Syphilis. Results (lucky both -ve ) were ready in about 12mins. The counsellor did explain that results would be ready in 10-15 mins.

What bro peanut123 also mentioned above about the 1st red line indicating that the strips are working fine, & the 2nd red line only appears if one is tested +ve for HIV or Syphilis, is absolutely correct. This was what the counsellor explained to me too.

One point to note...since the testing is anonymous, you won't get to keep your results...

[Nokia E61]

hi. just want to seek some advice.

i had sex with a FL with CAPs. however, still out of fear, i went to test at 6 weeks (AFA), 10 weeks (AFA), 19 weeks (Clinic), 32 weeks (AFA) and recently at 78 weeks (AFA).

All results are Negative for AFA and Non-Reactive for Clinic.

however, i am still afraid. Like what bro LENS said, i may also doubt the accuracy of the test done by AFA.

side track abit, for my testing history, is it safe to conclude that for that one and only encounter, i am safe from HIV/Aids?

[AfA_hmor]

Generally it takes about 10-15 mins for the results to show on the test strip.

The chemicals on test strip starts to react to the blood and antibodies, colors start to show up very shortly after the test has been conducted and settles into a clear line (control). This shows that the test is working properly, and enough time has been given to let the chemicals react.
If the control line is still 'fuzzy' and all over the place, it means that the test strip is still in the process of reacting to the blood, the result won't be read as negative.

Only when the control line is bold and clear, and the test line shows nothing, do we declare it a negative result.

So, not to worry about the accuracy of the result.

[LENS]

ok, thanks. i hope that your staff practice what you preach and not the other way round.

btw, how accurate is this test done by AFA as compared to lab/Hospital? whats the name of the test kit and you have any info on it?

Originally Posted by AfA_hmor

Generally it takes about 10-15 mins for the results to show on the test strip.

The chemicals on test strip starts to react to the blood and antibodies, colors start to show up very shortly after the test has been conducted and settles into a clear line (control). This shows that the test is working properly, and enough time has been given to let the chemicals react.
If the control line is still 'fuzzy' and all over the place, it means that the test strip is still in the process of reacting to the blood, the result won't be read as negative.

Only when the control line is bold and clear, and the test line shows nothing, do we declare it a negative result.

So, not to worry about the accuracy of the result.

[peanut123]

Originally Posted by Nokia E61

hi. just want to seek some advice.

i had sex with a FL with CAPs. however, still out of fear, i went to test at 6 weeks (AFA), 10 weeks (AFA), 19 weeks (Clinic), 32 weeks (AFA) and recently at 78 weeks (AFA).

All results are Negative for AFA and Non-Reactive for Clinic.

however, i am still afraid. Like what bro LENS said, i may also doubt the accuracy of the test done by AFA.

side track abit, for my testing history, is it safe to conclude that for that one and only encounter, i am safe from HIV/Aids?

wah lao, you are safe lar. The max window for HIV is only 6 months, with the majority being 3 months. At 78 weeks, its already 18 months liao, you have exceed the window by 1 year! Any HIV would already be super duper detectabled by then. Dun worry so much about this. Go and read up on HIV and tests. Knowledge is power, and will make you feel less frightened and more confident about yourself and about the tests.

[poison]

can lady go for such test or just for male only?

[FL_Noob]

Yo Bros, I just found this on the website when i was surfing the net just now. 12 DAY?? It is true? Or just another con site?

Singapore HIV Aids screening testing clinic

We offer HIV screening that is based on a window period between infection and detectability of disease of about 12 days instead of the usual 6 months as provided by other frequently used methods. It may be suitable for:

[coolfire69]

Hard to say, you never know..

But for me, I prefer waiting & then go to AFA to test...

[AfA_hmor]

Originally Posted by poison

can lady go for such test or just for male only?

Ladies can go for HIV test too.
It's not just for men only.

[AfA_hmor]

Originally Posted by FL_Noob

Yo Bros, I just found this on the website when i was surfing the net just now. 12 DAY?? It is true? Or just another con site?

Singapore HIV Aids screening testing clinic

We offer HIV screening that is based on a window period between infection and detectability of disease of about 12 days instead of the usual 6 months as provided by other frequently used methods. It may be suitable for:

Believe its a fake site. Very dubious looking lor. Never give address.
12 Days is too short a time for the anti-bodies to form.

[hendri]

never go for this type of test...no address..only telephone...

BTW, bro, where in singapore, can we buy this oral test kit and test it ourself...? instead of tested by a doctor by the same kit.....

[AfA_hmor]

can't DIY for impt reasons lah.
what happens after u test? how u want to get help?

[trubillet]

Hi to all bros, i am new here. Just like to ask. Is it SAFE to test at AFA. I mean the needle(lancet), do they reuse them? do they wear gloves?? Is it in a clinical setting??? Anybody ever kenna HIV from HIV TESTING?? sorry to ask such stupid questions. Just like to be reassure.