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HIV Home Test
Aug 10, 1998
Dear Dr. Cohen:
I have recently heard from my pharmacist that the CONFIDE HIV testing kit was discontinued because of false positive tests. And I have always thought it shelved because of poor sales. Can you confirm that? Need I be concerned of false NEGATIVES in the current FDA- approved HOME ACCESS kit? And what have you heard of its specificity and sensitivity so far? Thanks
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Response from Dr. Cohen
Sorry - I have not heard any of the specific data about the test you are asking about. However - once a test is approved there is information included with the test that will have the answers you seek. And if the pharmacist cannot supply you with the information, then you should feel welcome to call the manufacturer as they would have the answers in file.
Overall - my understanding is that the tests we do have a false positive rate that may require follow up testing with a more specific blood test, but these tests are very sensitive and so false negatives should be extremely rare events.
Hope that helps.
CC
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