FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About AwarerHOME™

AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test is a diagnostic tool designed to detect HIV antibodies in human oral fluid samples. It can be used by individuals without any medical knowledge or background, in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. These kits come with all the necessary components and have written and visual instructions for conducting the test.  

 
The AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test requires collection of oral fluid samples from the gums using a sterile swab provided, providing a painless and convenient alternative to the conventional fingerpick HIV self test kits. These kits are intended to provide convenience and confidentiality for individuals who may prefer to test for HIV without visiting a healthcare provider at clinics or hospitals.

  1. Accurate – AwarerHOME™
    HIV Oral Self Test is the same HIV oral test device used by many physicians in clinics and hospitals for HIV screening.
  2. Simple – AwarerHOME™
    HIV Oral Self Test is easy to use, painless and can be used discretely and comfortably in a private location.
  3. Privacy – AwarerHOME™
    HIV Oral Self Test guarantees complete anonymity. Your identity is safeguarded as you are not required to consult a physician, nor report your test results to any parties. 

Everyone above the age of 18 should get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime.


For individuals who engage in high-risk activities, such as:

  1. Sexually active individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender, who engage in anal intercourse, vaginal intercourse, or oral sex. This includes those with multiple partners, those who do not consistently use condoms, and those who have sex with partners of unknown HIV status.
  2. Individuals who share needles to inject drugs.
  3. Individuals who perceive themselves as at risk and have never undergone HIV screening or been diagnosed with HIV.
  4. Individuals who are exposed to blood or bodily fluids as part of their occupation, such as healthcare workers, laboratory technicians, emergency responders, and others in similar professions.

    Testing should be done more frequently, at least once a year.


It is also recommended for all pregnant women to get tested to prevent mother-to-child transmission and ensure proper care for both the mother and the baby.

The AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test is designed for single use only. Using the kit more than once could result in inaccurate results and compromise the reliability of the test. 

Yes, the AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Testis approved by the health authorities, including the Medical Device Authority (MDA), Malaysia.

Accuracy

After being potentially exposed to the virus, it's recommended to undergo testing with the AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test after 3 months to detect an HIV infection. Following this initial test, it's also advisable to continue testing monthly to stay informed about your HIV status. If the risk event occurred within the last 3 months, consider getting tested at an HIV Testing Centre, such as a private clinic, hospital, or government healthcare facility.

You can get the results after 15 minutes. Do not interpret results after 30 minutes.

AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test has a sensitivity of 99.23%, correctly detecting an HIV infection in over 99 out of 100 tests. The test has a specificity of 100.00%, which means that it almost never delivers a wrong result by saying someone has HIV when they don’t.

Check the results of the test cassette. If you see a line at the “C” region, it means the test is working as intended.

A false negative result can be caused by:

  1. Testing too soon (exposure within the last 3 months)
  2. Antiretroviral therapy (ARV)
  3. Incorrect testing technique
  4. User misinterpretation

A false positive result can be caused by: 

  1. Pregnancy (<2%) and other medical conditions e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure; as well as tetanus and influenza vaccinations 
  2. Incorrect testing technique 
  3. User misinterpretation  
  4. Participation in an HIV vaccine clinical trial 

Place the oral swab only along the upper and lower gum lines to collect oral fluid, NOT saliva.

Personal Information

You are NOT obligated to report your AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test results to any parties.

For Malaysia- If you wish to, you can submit your test results on the “TEST NOW” platform
anonymously for data collection and analysis purposes. The website also provides basic information on HIV and a list of healthcare institutions you can go to for further assistance.

Furthermore, the result of this test kit is NOT conclusive. To confirm your HIV status, you may get a confirmatory laboratory test at a clinic or hospital.

It's important to note that reporting rules for HIV testing and diagnosis may vary in different countries. Some countries may require mandatory reporting of HIV cases to public health authorities, while others have laws protecting patient confidentiality. Therefore, if you are seeking HIV testing or treatment in a different country, it's advisable to familiarise yourself with the local regulations and policies regarding HIV testing and reporting to ensure that you understand how your personal information will be handled.

If your physician at a private clinic/ hospital conducts a preliminary HIV screening test or an anonymous rapid HIV test, your results will NOT be reported.

Most clinics and hospitals in Malaysia as well as in other countries offer confirmatory HIV laboratory testing. After conducting HIV self-testing, you may wish to select an institution that you are most comfortable with to get tested if necessary.

If you proceed to do a confirmatory HIV antigen or antibody test at private clinic/ private hospital and your test results are positive -  therefore confirming the diagnosis of HIV infection - your test results and identity will need to be notified to the Ministry of Health (MOH, Malaysia). 

Measures will be taken to keep your results confidential and only known to the physician who is serving you. Your information kept by the government and the healthcare
institution will not be disclosed to other parties without your consent.

Other Concerns

AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test is safe for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You will need to remove the denture, wash off any adhesive paste on your gums and wait for 30 minutes before performing the AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test.

Scientists and medical experts agree that HIV does not survive well outside the body. This means that the risk of environmental transmission (spread) is remote. Therefore, if someone came into direct contact with your test stick, there is extremely little risk of transmitting HIV to them. Contact with saliva has never been shown to result in the transmission of HIV. Because your test result is positive you will need a second test to confirm your HIV status. Please see your physician or a healthcare provider to obtain a follow-up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic, or healthcare professional must confirm your AwarerHOME™ HIV Oral Self Test. Until your result is confirmed, be sure to take precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. In particular, you should avoid all sexual activities until you know your HIV status. You can dispose of the test in general waste; no extra precautions are necessary.