How accurate is the oraqucik rapid test?

How accurate is the oraqucik rapid test?

In the clinical studies by the manufacturer (OraSure Technologies, Inc.), the OraQuick test correctly identified 99.6% of people who were infected with HIV-1 (sensitivity) and 100% of people who were not infected with HIV-1 (specificity). The Food and Drug Administration expects clinical laboratories to obtain similar results.

False-negative results: A small number of people who are infected with HIV-1 will have negative test results.

Delayed detection of exposure: OraQuick may not detect HIV-1 infection in people who were exposed within 3 months before being tested (it can take that long for antibodies to HIV-1 to be detectable in the blood).

Follow-up testing: A reactive result is interpreted as preliminarily positive for HIV-1 infection. Another method should be used to confirm the initial test result.