AIDS TESTING AT HOME

Rapid AIDS tests that yield results in 20 minutes have revolutionized
outreach counseling and greatly improved efforts aimed at slowing the
spread of infection. With the older test, which required two weeks,
about a third of the people tested at AIDS clinics never returned to
pick up their results. Those who never learned that they had tested
positive most likely went on to infect others through unprotected sex
or by sharing needles during intravenous drug use.

Despite widely available testing, about a quarter of the Americans who
are infected with H.I.V. still don't know it. That will no doubt
change when the Food and Drug Administration approves a quick
over-the-counter AIDS test for home use. No company has yet filed for
approval of such a test. But exploratory hearings conducted recently
by the F.D.A. suggest that such a request may be filed soon.

Some AIDS outreach workers are wary. They believe that people who test
positive should hear the news from counselors, who can cushion the
shock, direct them to medical care and explain the precautions that
are needed to avoid infecting others.

That would clearly be ideal. But it has long been clear that many
people who suspect that they have been infected do not feel
comfortable walking into AIDS clinics - or even confiding in family
doctors. An over-the-counter AIDS test is the ideal tool for reaching
them, as well as large numbers of others who don't know they are
infected. The F.D.A. must naturally make sure that any proposed
products are reliable and appropriate for use by untrained people. But
once that's clear, the agency should swiftly certify a home-use test.