The HIV test for diagnosing the virus is now available in pharmacies, for adults, purchasable for just 20 euros and without a prescription. Here is how it works.
In Italy, one in four infected people does not know they are infected, and so is likely to spread contagion. Many people are tempted to look into it but then put it off, as they would need to contact their GP and then go to a testing laboratory. The self-test for HIV that can be purchased at a pharmacy instead allows people to act independently and discreetly, avoiding the need to consult a doctor and incurring only a modest cost, with results in 15 minutes — a turnaround time no testing laboratory can match. In the event of infection, it will certainly be necessary to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.
The procedure is simple: just a small prick on the fingertip and a short 15-minute wait to get the result. The test's reliability is close to 100 per cent, and in the event of a positive result, a confirmation via a conventional blood test is nonetheless required before starting antiviral therapy.
If you are concerned about having been exposed to a partner at risk, you will still need to respect the virus's "window" period, which is 90 days. If three months have not yet passed, the test is not reliable — exactly the same as with a conventional blood test. This is a common mistake, as many people believe they are in the clear after a negative test taken 15 days after a risky encounter. Unfortunately, that is not the case: the virus remains latent for 90 days from the point of infection, and before that it is impossible to detect.
The World AIDS Day has just come to a close; the stated aim was to bring more and more people to diagnosis by shedding light on cases that sadly remain undetected. The HIV self-diagnosis test available in pharmacies without a prescription moves precisely in this direction — that of reaching everyone, including those who are most fearful or most reluctant. Taking an HIV test is a great act of respect for yourself and for your partners. A simple gesture that can be done alone, with a friend, or together with your partner before beginning a sexual relationship.