Magic Johnson Backs Home HIV Test: OraQuick Is A Game Changer For Us

October 19th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source: WENN

In July, the FDA approved the first at-home HIV test, OraQuick, for online and over-the-counter sale at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, and this month the product officially became available to consumers. For just $40, people can take the HIV test in the privacy of their home and within 20 minutes they will be given an answer about their status.

Though it hasn’t been on the market long, OraQuick already has one major backer, Magic Johnson. Speaking at a presentation for Orasure Technologies’ new test, Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1991, spoke on his own prognosis and what this test means for HIV rates down the line, particularly among minorities.

“I think it’s a game changer for us,” he said. ”When you think about the black and brown community, the stigma behind HIV and AIDS in our community … [not wanting] anybody to see us walk into a clinic or to the doctor’s office, this kit will help. That’s the people who I was thinking about most when I thought about this kit.”

According to the Huffington Post, Government officials currently estimate about 240,000 people, or one-fifth of the approximate 1.2 million people carrying HIV in the U.S., don’t know they are infected. New infections have remained the same at about 50,000 per year for the last 20 years. Magic has noticed the lack of progress.

“After I announced [my prognosis] … people were running out to actually get tested … We had a good run for about five or six years where we were talking about it openly. But fast-forward to today, people are not talking about it like they used to,” he said.

Magic is hopeful that this new at-home test will get the conversation going again, and help those who are infected cope more easily with the news.

“I think the suspense would have been taken away. Would I have reacted the same way? Yes. But what saved my life? Early detection. I got on some meds right away. In the black and brown community, what happens is a lot of time we find out too late, so the meds can’t help us.”

Let’s hope the word about this new test spreads faster than the disease. What do you think about the OraQuick at-home test?

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  • ElvisWasAHero2Most

    What I find funny is despite our sexually open nature as a society, we as individuals are still coy about bedroom activity. I read a report a few years back that concluded more condoms are sold in stores where people can grab them off the shelf themselves versus stores that keep condoms behind a glass case that requires an employee to open. When people have to interact with other people (employees, doctors, etc.) about something sexual, we tend to get scared or shy. People still have this sense of shame (women especially) for either staying protected, getting tested or getting treatment. This device will help curb that embarrassment I’m all for it.

  • DeepThinker

    I think this could be a good thing, because a potential partner can whip out a test and demand the other person take it on the spot or no s3x. It doesn’t give people the excuse not to get tested. However, a negative result still does not guarntee that the user has not been exposed to the virus if they are tested BEFORE the incubation period of their last s3xual contact.
    It’s a catch 22, because a person can go to the clinic and still hide their status from their partners. Some infected individuals are still willing to break the law by not disclosing their status. Who wants to rely on the law to protect them. Just don’t smash.

    • L-Boogie

      I agree. I think it is important that this is available to the public. But the stigma that is associated with this virus is most likely never to end. Know your status.

  • Meyaka

    It is a game changer, but like MLS said earlier, some will keep it a secret and expose others to the virus. The solution will be to always use a condom until you have each other printed black and white results, but we know how that goes…

    • jay

      Its no different than getting tested at the doctor. No one else can disclose the information but the individual. Same story..

      • Meyaka

        When I went to get tested,they informed me that my results would be confidential,unless they found something and they would have to release it to the department of health services,and they in turn would need the name and numbers of my sexual partners,because they will be at risk. I don’t see how someone taking a test at home will abide by those rules,but maybe I’m wrong.

  • Na Na

    I agree with MLS2698 there has to be some accountability and too often we read the stories about people infecting others or sleeping with people and then telling them after the fact. This is like the FaceBook of STD testing, you can do everything at home behind the mask of a screen. I don’t think it will have the desired results of everybody testing and being safe.

    • JaneDoe

      Agreed.. It will do more harm than good.. People will def not share their status especially when it comes to spousal relationships..

  • MLS2698

    No! I’m against it. Because people will keep it a secret. The CDC needs to know if a person could be a danger to others.

    • KamJos

      Is the CDC alerted when someone takes a HIV test in a clinic?

      • Kenedy

        I would think so….thats the only way they can gather statistical data

        • KamJos

          I’d think you’d have to opt in to have your results reported. To me having the CDC automatically track patients sounds like its violating some privacy laws. Any health folks have any input?

          • Jay

            I am not a health person. However, due to privacy laws, there are no names attached and the clinic can’t share individual results. The data they collect is solely that data. Also for privacy, unless your getting tested for insurance purposes, you can use an Alias when u go into the clinic.

      • MLS2698

        Yes. They track all communicable diseases; put them into a databank. That is how they know which areas have the most STDs. Basically what Kenedy said…….but no names attached to the data. After receiving the data, they target the areas for programs and education; get people informed to improve their sexual health before they become a part of the statistic from their area.

      • Na Na

        Yes and no. When a person takes an HIV/AIDS test and they’re results are positive they are asked for a list of all of their past partners. Those partners are then contacted by phone or mail and tells them that some person that they have slept with has tested positive for AIDS. They don’t disclose the persons name or any of their info but they do try and reach out to all past partners. I know because my cousin got that call and that was the scariest 3 days of her life waiting for the appointment date.

    • Marco The Great Master

      …of course, but i don’t believe everyone is that malicious, just a small minority. These miscreants who would commit such an act with or without a home test.

  • Reese

    The sad thing is the people that really need this test won’t use it. So many people are scared to get tested; at home or anywhere else.

    • Miss K

      I agree with all of the comments above, not to mention the devastation of learning a positive status while at home and alone. There are counselors at testing clinics that walk you through the process. I’m sure there’s a confidential support number to call, but still…