Saliva HIV Test Passes the Grade

Summary: According to a new study by the Research Insitute of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University, a saliva test used to diagnose HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is comparable in accuracy to the traditional blood test. The test had 99% accuracy (the same accuracy as the usual blood test for high-risk populations). However, the test sensitivity was lowered for low risk populations to about 97%. A saliva test is a lot easier than a blood test and only takes about 20 minutes. It's hard to get people to show up to be tested because of visibility, stigma, lack of privacy, and discrimination. The saliva test could lead to self-testing and could help inform people if they have the virus.

Critique: I'm glad that they're testing to make sure that the saliva test is accurate. It would be really bad if someone was tested and got the wrong result.

Impact: Hopefully this will encourage more people to get tested for HIV.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/01/24/saliva_hiv_test_passes_the_grade.html