HiV concerns in regards to test

[helpmeplease1122]

I tested with Oraquick a couple of times and I believe the results but have become extremely worried that someone at the manufacturers could have put hiv+ plasma on the test. This fear came after I read on their page that the test stick contains panel members (panel members are hiv+ plasma used for quality assurance). Panel members however ARE NOT supposed to be part of the test stick device. I have spoken with Orasure and they assured me that there are no panel members inside the test stick but they are still listed as part of the ingredients, so I am still confused. Regardless to say, it has left me EXTREMELY PARANOID and I cannot function anymore as I am paralyzed with fear. PLEASE answer these questions for me with kindness and accuracy. (Remember there is a human being behind the computer and I need help to get past this)

1. IF by some horrible chance there were panel members (which have active viruses) inside the test stick and they fell to the test pad while I swabbed my gums- what would be the odds of infection? Would the virus survive inside the test stick? Is it the same as a syringe?
2. IF someone had placed panel members into the test pad by injecting them directly into the pad without opening the container (airtight bag, no exposure to oxygen) what are the odds that the virus would survive inside this package? The test pad was not soaking wet so if anything, maybe a small part of it would ahve been wet while the rest dry? I do not remember feeling any wet parts but I wasn't looking for it either. If there were viruses in these conditions, how likely would it be to become infected this way? Similar to oral sex or more?
3. Panel members consist of various strains of the hiv virus as they test for all subtypes (to those worried- yes apparently Oraquick is reliable in testing for various subtypes etc). My question then is: if by some awful chance I were to have gotten infected through multiple strains, creating a new combination strain, would a regular test detect it?

Please help! I am so desperate that I'm considering seeing an HIV Specialist. I'm at my lowest point. Not only am I worried about hiv but I'm worried about these panel members creating a strain that nobody else has and thus worried about tests detecting it and worrying that no treatment would be available. How can I get past this? It is the worst feeling I have ever experienced in my life. HELP PLEASE!

[helpmeplease1122]

Anyone? IN SHORT, my fear is oral exposure to hiv+ blood (which is what panel members are) that could have been on my test pad, which was kept in an airtight package...Please someone answer. And would a test detect ANY strains- even ones that nobody else has that could be created as a combination of different viruses?

[Claire_MHModerator]

There is no infectious material contained in the Oraquick test, nor would it help in diagnosis if there were.  The "panel" reference probably refers to testing the reliability of Oraquick vs. other methods.

[helpmeplease1122]

Claire, thanks. I have discussed this with their team and they told me there are no panel members inside the device but the actual fda page states that "The nitrocellulose pad contains Hiv-1 & Hiv-2 synthetic peptides/panel members". I am sure hoping that someone made a mistake in their wording. To ease my anxiety however, would hiv be able to remain infectious even inside the test stick and/or test pad? And would a test be able to detect ANY infection (including any possible rare strain)? It has been over 3 months since I took this test.

[kostantinos2]

hello ! fisrt of all relax ! we all are here to help by any chance even though we are not doctors .
So first of all when did the "possible" exposure happen? did you have protected or unprotected sex? was it a strraight or gay sex? just trying to help that's why . after how much time did you get tested?

[helpmeplease1122]

Where it says "nitrocellulose membrane" : http://www.oraquick.com/assets/base/oraquickfull/pdf/OraQuick_In-Home_HIV_Test_SDS.pdf


Panel members consist of various tubes of one vial with hiv- plasma and numerous with hiv+ plasma. It states that there are no live/active viruses within the test so I would assume the viruses would have been "inactivated"- which doesn't make me feel good either because one can never be assured and even panel members manufacturers advise to use universal precautions with all panel members. Also, it is stated clearly over and over again that panel members are to be used for research and quality control purposes ONLY. They should NOT be inside a test stick, yet this states they are. But Oraquick tells me there are NO panel members inside the test stick. Just going through a lot because of this! :(

If there was hiv+ plasma on the test stick and/or test pad- could the virus survive in that environment?

[helpmeplease1122]

Hello,
I wasn't testing for sexual behavior in particular. I was testing because I had never had a test before and hiv is not just a sexual disease. It is also a bloodborne pathogen. I just wanted to know my status because I was experiencing anxiety, never having been tested before. Seems that testing brought on more anxiety than I had prior to testing. I believe the test results, I am just afraid if testing could have infected me.