HIV Rapid Tests: Progress, Perspective, and Future Directions

In November 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA), a reliable, rapid test that detects HIV-1 antibodies. In contrast to other HIV-testing techniques, the OraQuick test uses blood obtained by finger stick instead of venipuncture and provides results in 20 minutes. Implications for practice, as well as future applications of this technology, are discussed in this article.