A new HIV test that returns results in 20
minutes is now available through the Santa Barbara County
Public Health Department. The quick turnaround is expected to
increase the number of people getting treatment and decrease the
number who spread the disease while in a state of denial. Up to a
third of those tested using conventional lab procedures do not
return for results. The OraQuick Advance rapid test being used by
the health department is 99.6 percent accurate in a lab setting,
with some false negatives but no false positives.
