The so-called rapid tests for the detection of the HIV virus , made available by the Unified Health System (SUS), had part of the folders with self-test kits blocked by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).
This change occurred due to reports of problems in finalizing the result of 2 lots, containing approximately 4 thousand tests in each.
According to the organization, as a preventive measure, it was necessary to temporarily suspend the tests.
This new order is only for some states and municipalities in Brazil that received defective folders, as occurred in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Manaus, Campinas, Santos, Piracicaba, São José do Rio Preto, Ribeirão Preto and São Bernardo do Campo.
Another recommendation made by the Ministry of Health is that the people who are going to do the public network test be aware of the control line. In general, you should go to the place where you picked up the device so that another diagnostic test can be carried out.
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How does the self-test work?
The self-test is performed by the user himself, who performs the collection of oral fluid (saliva) or a small blood sample that works as an indicator of the presence of antibodies against HIV.
Before conducting the test, people should be aware of what doctors call the immune window, which is enough time for the body to produce antibodies (30 days after being infected).
If the test is done during this period, it is likely to have negative results. Therefore, it is recommended that the patient wait for this time to pass and repeat the test as soon as possible.
In this way it is possible to have more security at the time of diagnosis, so that it does not have a false result that could compromise your health.
How does the device display the results?
The device is able to indicate whether the user is reactive or not reactive to the HIV virus, but it is not yet a definitive result.
If the test is a reagent, the person must go to a health network so that other tests can be done to confirm or not the result, with the help of a health professional.
Defective self-test investigation
The folders containing the defective kits that were sent to the states mentioned above opened up a possible probability of investigation on other lots.
According to ANVISA, this verification is already taking place in samples from other lots with self-test kits.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 million people die from HIV infection each year.
In addition, only 70% of people with HIV know about their HIV infection status, which reinforces the importance of using prevention methods.
