Home STD tests are less accurate than those taken in a doctor’s office due to potential human error and lab quality. However, they may still provide accurate results, and it’s better than no testing. Following instructions and researching reliable companies can increase accuracy. Simpler testing processes also increase accuracy.
It’s hard to say exactly how accurate home STD tests are, but they are thought to be less accurate than STD tests taken in doctor’s offices. This is, in part, due to potential human error in performing the test and collecting and storing the required samples. It may also have to do with the increased tendency for labs to return false negatives on home STD tests. The quality of the lab itself plays a role in the accuracy of home STD tests, and some experts say many of them are lacking.
The consensus among many health experts is that it’s best to visit a doctor to get the most accurate test results when it comes to STDs. However, home STD testing may provide accurate results. Therefore, some experts say STD home testing is better than no testing at all. If a person takes an STD test at home, they may do well to follow up with their doctor within a reasonable amount of time to double check the results.
While an individual cannot control what happens to an STD test sample after sending it to a lab, they can increase their chances of getting accurate results by carefully reading the instructions that accompany the STD test kit and following them 100%. . Improvising with an STD test can lead to sample contamination, improper sample storage, and insufficient sample collection for an accurate test. When a person doesn’t follow directions on a home STD test, their chances of getting accurate results are significantly lower.
An individual can also increase his or her chances of getting accurate results on STD home tests by carefully researching the companies that manufacture them to see if they are reliable and trustworthy. An individual can find reviews of domestic STD testing companies and complaints that people have written against them. Such information can help an individual decide which companies to patronize versus which ones to avoid. Researching the laboratory that will be used for testing can also help a person make a good choice.
The simpler the testing process, the easier it can be to get accurate results on STD home tests. If the user only needs to swab a wound and prevent the swab from becoming contaminated, it may be easier than taking blood samples and preventing them from becoming contaminated. For this reason, simpler test requirements can translate into a higher likelihood of accurate results.
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