Questions11

Thank you! Unfortunately, as I looked into "panel members" more, I read that they are plasma that is positive for hiv 1 and 2, which leads me to believe that there are actual viruses on the test stick. The Oraquick website says that there are no live/active viruses on the test, so I'm assuming these are inactivated viruses but I feel very uneasy about there being viruses on the test. Worst case scenario, if these viruses were active and somehow "slipped" from the test stick (which I'm assuming is an airtight environment) down to the test pad while swabbing the gums, would this be a risk? Please tell me I would have nothing to worry about even in the worst case scenario. My fear is that somehow there would be active viruses on the test pad which I used to swab my gums. This is what the test stick looks like: http://www.oraquick.com/What-is-OraQuick/How-Oral-Testing-Works I am not concerned about the peptides but I am concerned about the panel members.

It really means a lot that you're trying to help a stranger with severe OCD on the internet. It has helped me feel better and I appreciate your kindness.

I googled "panel members" and not sure how accurate but a google search led me to "plasma that is positive for hiv 1/2". Is this accurate??????? Are there ACTUAL VIRUSES on the test? If so are they inactivated and how would I know for sure that mistakenly (or purposely) the viruses aren't active??? Also, since LAB GROWN viruses can survive longer, does that mean they would remain active throughout manufacturing/shipping??? I wish I never took those tests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the reply! I have looked them up and I know what they are but I am interested in how they are made. The peptides and the protein A...Are they taken out of a live virus or are they chemically created (without the need of growing a virus in the lab)? I'm worried that someone could have mistakenly used a whole virus instead of just the antigens, but if the peptides and protein A are made without the need to make a whole virus, then it would make me feel a little better. Does anyone know the process of how peptides and recombinant protein A are made?

What are these:HIV 1 & 2 Peptides/Panel Members (Defibrinated), GP-36 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A), GP-41 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A)? Also, what is "recombinant protein A"? Please someone who knows, answer.

String Junky, I read that part and I understand that the test is not supposed to have a live virus in it. As I have stated, my fear is that someone could have mistakenly or purposely placed it in the test. Which is why I ask, how do these companies get access to the antigens they place on the test? I have been doing some research and it seems that peptides are synthetically made. Can one make the peptides (synthetic antigens I'm assuming) without making the whole virus? I'm afraid that if they are making the whole virus, that they could make mistakes when pulling out the antigens. What are these:HIV 1 & 2 Peptides/Panel Members (Defibrinated), GP-36 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A), GP-41 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A)? Does anybody know the answer to this? Basically, I am asking how does the ORASURE company create the antigens used in the test?? Or any other test that uses them. Can someone please explain this to me as I would feel much better if I knew they weren't producing whole viruses that could mistakenly end up on the test.

I don't think I had any cuts in my mouth. I guess one of the things I am wondering about is how do they create the antigens that they place on the test? Do they have a science lab? Do you need to create a whole virus in order to create the antigens or can scientists create antigens without the virus? I guess one of my fears is that someone mistakenly or purposely could have put synthetic viruses on the actual test... Please enlighten me on this topic. This is from their website: "Nitrocellulose Pad: Contains: HIV 1 & 2 Peptides/Panel Members (Defibrinated), GP-36 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A), GP-41 Peptide [biotinylated](N/A), Modified Avidin (1405-69-02) and F(Ab)”2 Goat Anti-Human IgG (H+L) (N/A). Nitrocellulose Pad Concentration: Contains 0.01-0.1% concentration or less of the chemicals listed above. The mixture (in the concentration provided) is not known to be an OSHA hazardous chemical or other regulatory listed material. The mixture may cause skin and eye irritation upon contact in highly sensitive individuals. The material and its container should be disposed of in a safe way and in accordance with Local, State and Federal Regulations. No known or anticipated adverse health hazards are likely for the small amount of chemical mixture provided on this strip. Utilize Good Laboratory Practices. NOTE: Pad only contains HIV 1 & 2 peptides, there is no active/live virus contained within the product as offered to the public." Can someone PLEASE explain what exactly these are??

Yes, I feel better about the environmental risks but still worried about other things. Currently I am worried about the oral tests I took. I know that they use an antigen on the test and that if you have antibodies, it will bind to these antigens...My questions are: (and I'm hoping someone can help as I can't find these answers anywhere) 1. How are these antigens created to be placed on the test? Do laboratories grow an artificial virus or can they synthetically create antigens? 2. How do they then transfer these antigens to all these tests? Is it a machine that creates the tests or are they hand made? 3. Where on the test are the antigens located? 4. If someone maliciously or mistakenly put viruses on the test, what are the odds of getting infected through it? (this is the ultimate question that has been driving me crazy)

Thanks for the info!

StringJunky, What people have said here has caused my OCD to skyrocket. It can live in the environment for hours?? Why the conflicting information from different sources? Some say minutes and some say hours. If it can live in the environment for hours, how can one even eat out at restaurants? What helped me with my OCD about hiv years ago was learning that it was not infectious once it hit the air. Now, are you guys telling me this is wrong and that it can remain infectious for HOURS?? This isn't just about getting tested. It is about many things. I am trying to overcome my fears of going to the dentist and having needles or dental equipment in me and I am asking you guys for help and advice. I read a few articles about dentists that weren't following protocol and this has created this whole mess. How do I know that the equipment they use has been properly sterilized? Do you just "assume" they have? Do I need to get tested every time I go to the dentist now? I live in the U.S but it is still hard to be sure. Do I ask to watch as they sterilize the equipment before it is used on me? How does one make sure universal precautions are being implemented?

It is hard to work on my OCD when I hear that these are REAL possible ways of transmission. I am having terrible anxiety over all this. I don't even trust the oral swab tests anymore and know I need a blood test done but I can't seem to find the courage to go anymore. I have not had OCD regarding HIV for 7 years and now I am learning that the things that helped me aren't even TRUE. 1. First, let's please clarify the whole "hiv can still infect hours after being in the environment" thing. Does this mean that if there is hiv+ blood on the toilet and you sit on it 2 hours later and have a cut, that you can possibly become infected? Or that if it is in instruments at the dentist and he/she drills your teeth that you can get infected? So, it really is not that fragile after all??? Why do all the hiv hotlines and prevention forums online keep saying that "the virus is inactive when it hits the air due to temperature and ph level change"?. This is very confusing! Can you please clarify this? 2. How much blood is needed to infect? What are the odds of infection if the dental equipment wasn't cleaned? How about if a new anesthesia syringe wasn't used? And last but not least, I am very scared of blood draws and needles. What are the chances of infection if a used butterfly needle was used to draw your blood? Would the blood from the previous person clot the needle? Would it be enough to infect? It would be a direct transmission to the vein so this really scares me. How do all of you manage to go to the dentist and doctors without being as terrified as I am??? I don't know where all this came from. I used to be able to go prior to my ocd starting and then I read articles about some messed up people in the field that were not properly sterilizing equipment and reusing needles/syringes. I don't know how to get through this as it is ruining me!

WOW! HOURS???? I was told that "hiv dies within seconds/minutes at most when it hits the air/leaves the host"...I'm aware that viruses aren't alive but it's the terminology most people use.... So, how would one know if the equipment was properly sterilized? Also, does this mean that if the woman at the clinic placed hiv contaminated plasma on the oral swab before I used it, that I could be at risk???? This is terrifying me!!!!

How about this link that says the virus can live on the environment for days??? I always thought when it hit the air it became inactive...I am so confused now. Can it stay active on dental equipment??

Can someone please answer my last question? I'm really going through a lot. And is the information here correct? I thought the virus became inactivated upon contact with air... http://www.aidsmap.com/Survival-outside-the-body/page/1321278/

I got this from the website. It is regarding their test kit controls (which are used to determine if a test is working or not): Each Kit Control box contains a package insert and three vials (one HIV-1 positive control, one HIV-2 positive control and one negative control) as described below: 1. HIV-1 Positive Control One black-capped vial containing 0.2 mL of photo chemically inactivated human plasma positive for antibodies to HIV-1, diluted in a defibrinated pool of normal human plasma. Preservative: ProClin 5000. Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C antibody. 2. HIV-2 Positive Control One red-capped vial containing 0.2 mL of photo chemically inactivated human plasma positive for antibodies to HIV-2, diluted in a defibrinated pool of normal human plasma. Preservative: ProClin 5000. Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C antibody. 3. Negative Control One white-capped vial containing 0.2 mL of defibrinated pool of normal human plasma negative for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2. Preservative: ProClin 5000. Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C antibody. What does this mean??? It also says how it is stored in a "clear liquid"....