OraSure HIV Antibody Testing -

No Names.

No Blood. 

No Needle.

Just Accurate Results!

The OraSure test delivers results in as little as 3 business days!
 

IT'S EASY!
Just open up and say "Ahhhhh!"  Clients insert the OraSure collection pad between your lower gum and cheek for 2 minutes.  The specimen that's collected is all that's needed. 

IT'S ACCURATE!
Testing with OraSure has been shown to be more than 99% accurate.

IT'S FREE!
Anonymous OraSure testing is provided free of charge by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellnes HIV Prevention Services and Volunteers of America's STOP Program.

IT'S PORTABLE!

HIV Prevention Specialist's can collect the OraSure specimen sample in the field so you don't have to come to the office to get tested.  Over the past year, we've offered OraSure testing onsite at the Kentuckiana Pride Festival, Tryangles, Teddy Bears, The Connection, Sumshee's Coffee Shop, UofL's Common Ground and in some area schools and churches and many more locations.  In some cases, we can meet individual clients offsite to collect an OraSure specimen or give OraSure results.  Ask the HIV Prevention Specialist you speak with if it's possible to meet you offsite or if there are upcoming field testing events which you could be tested at. 

Important Facts Regarding OraSure Testing to be Aware of:

• OraSure testing is not offered at the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness STD Specialty Clinic.

• We do not give results by phone.  All OraSure HIV Test Results must be delivered in person -whether you're positive or negative.  We can not give results to anyone other than the client and can not give results by phone, letter or e-mail.

• You will not receive a printed copy of your OraSure test results because OraSure is an anonymous test.  If you want or need a printed copy of your HIV status, we suggest you obtain a confidential blood test from Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Specialty Clinic instead.  

• After the specimen is collected you will be given a card with your ID number.  Since we do not take your name, this number is how we identify your specimen.  Please bring the card with you when you get your results.  If you lose the card you may have to do another test.

• OraSure testing is offered by appointment only with a HIV Prevention Specialist.  To schedule an appointment to receive a FREE OraSure, call The STOP Program at (502) 574-5373 or Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness HIV Prevention Services at (502) 574-5600.
• OraSure Testing is offered by appointment at our office building which is located at:
  850 Barret Avenue
  Louisville, KY 40204

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What does a positive test result mean?  A positive test result means that you may have an HIV infection.  Testing with OraSure has been shown to be more than 99% accurate but if you test positive for the first time, we recommend you be tested again using a new sample.  The repeat testing can be done on either a second OraSure or a blood specimen.  You should take precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. If you are infected with HIV, you may benefit from special medical care. New treatments may help keep you healthy even though you are infected with HIV. Some people stay healthy for a long time with HIV. Others may become ill more rapidly. See a doctor even, if you don't feel sick.  A doctor can help you to live longer. Other tests can tell you how strong your immune system is and what treatments might be best for you.
• What does a negative result mean?  A negative test result means that HIV antibodies were not detected in the specimen and usually means you are not infected with HIV but it cannot be ruled out completely.  If you have had a recent exposure to HIV you should get another test at least 3 months after the possible exposure. This is vital since antibodies sometimes do not appear until 3 months after infection with HIV.
• What does an Indeterminate Result mean?  Rarely the lab results will come back as Indeterminate.  An indeterminate result cannot be interrupted as a positive or as a negative test result; therefore it is not known whether you are or are not infected with HIV.  HIV testing should be repeated with a new sample.
• What is the "window period" for OraSure?  How soon after I am exposed to HIV will OraSure show if I am HIV positive? The "window period" is the time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to develop HIV antibodies. Most people will develop antibodies within 4-6 weeks after infection. Some people may take longer; but 99% will have antibodies by 3 months following infection. The test may not give an accurate negative result if a person gets tested too soon after a potential exposure. Therefore, we recommend that people wait 3 months from the date of the last time you were possibly exposed to HIV before being tested for HIV antibodies. You may have heard that HIV/AIDS can take years to be detectable. That is not true. Here's the clarification: AIDS, or the clinical symptoms that define this diagnosis, takes years to develop after exposure. HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- is detectable within three months after exposure, and does not cause symptoms in most people.
• Is OraSure a saliva test? No. OraSure does not test saliva, but OMT (oral mucosal transudate). OMT comes from the cheek and gum. OMT has high concentrations of IgG (Immunoglobulin G -antibodies specific to HIV); saliva has practically none.  (Some people worry about deep kissing.  HIV is not transmitted by saliva. The only way HIV could possibly be passed on by kissing is if there is blood from an HIV positive person present.)  The swab draws out HIV Antibodies (not the virus).
• Is this a new test?  No, actually OraSure was approved by the FDA in 1994 and has played an instrumental role in increasing access to HIV testing throughout the world.  OraSure has been approved for use by physicians, medical centers, or public health uses; it is not licensed for at-home use.
• Do any medications, alcohol or mouth conditions affect the test? No. Oral conditions, disease, medications and alcohol, and non-HIV related medical conditions will not affect the accuracy of the OraSure test.
• How often can I be tested?  If you are sexually active we recommend that you are tested every six months.  We will offer testing every 3 months but not sooner.  Since HIV anti-bodies may not be detectable for up to 3 months, it is not necessary or recommended for any individual to be tested more frequently than once every three months.  Upon completion of a successful counseling session, clients may chose to adopt safer behaviors which would prevent them from needing testing so frequently.

Click here to read the OraSure Patient Information Pamphlet (PDF).

You can learn more about OraSure by visiting the manufacturers website at: www.orasure.com