About AIDS
Fri., July 2, 1999
The FTC refused to name the sources or products yet, but beware of one typical claim made in their Web Site advertising: that their products are approved by the World Health Organization or the FDA. The W.H.O. does not approve test products, period. The FDA has approved only one test kit, Home Access Corp's Express HIV Test (through www.homeaccess.com). Correctly used, the Home Access test is capable of giving a completely valid result.
There is a growing problem of bogus products sold illegally on the Net, and the owner of one such company has already been sent to prison.
Sunday was National HIV Testing Day, so we hope that there is a heightened awareness about getting an HIV-antibody test. Of course, in Austin the better -- and cheap/free! -- option is to contact the Austin-Travis County Health Department's HIV testing unit at 708-3500. They offer testing at numerous sites all over town. Their service is accurate, they provide counseling, and the test can be just as anonymous as any home kit. And you don't have to draw your own blood either! Give 'em a call.
-- Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator
AIDS Services of Austin
ASA Info Line: 458-AIDS, E-mail:[email protected]