Step 3:Obtaining a specimen for HIV testing

Specimens used for HIV testing include serum, whole blood, or oral fluids.  Whole blood is used for rapid HIV testing. The blood specimen is obtained by a finger prick (as outlined and illustrated in the figure below).

1 Prepare a container for disposing of sharp instruments; also prepare gloves, lancet, alcohol swab, cotton swab, pipette, capillary tube, the test kits, and other necessary materials (figures a-i, below).

2 Wash your hands with an antiseptic soap and water.

3 Wear clean gloves.

4 Position the hand of the person to be tested palm-side up. Select the softest finger; avoid those fingers that have calluses or hardened skin (figure b, below).

5 Massage the chosen finger to help the blood to flow (figure c, below).

The procedure used to take a sample of blood for HIV testing. (a) Preparation of supplies required for taking a blood sample (gloves are not shown). (b) The hand of the person to be tested is placed palm-side up. (c) The finger selected for pricking is massaged to encourage blood flow. (d) The finger is cleaned using an alcohol swab. (e) Holding the finger firmly, the sterile lancet is placed off-centre. (f) A drop of blood is squeezed out. (g) The tip of the capillary tube is placed in the drop of blood. The capillary tube is filled with blood between the two marked lines on the tube. (i) All contaminated supplies are disposed of safely.

6 Clean the fingertip with an alcohol swab (figure d, above). Start in the middle of the finger and work outwards; this will prevent contamination of the cleansed region. Allow the finger to dry.

7 Hold the finger and firmly place a new sterile lancet off-centre on the fingertip. Firmly press the lancet to puncture the fingertip. (figure e, above).

8 Wipe away the first drop of blood with a sterile gauze pad or cotton ball. Apply intermittent pressure in the base of the punctured finger several times (figure f, above).

9 Blood may flow best if the finger is held lower than the elbow. Touch the tip of the capillary tube to the drop of blood (Figure g, above).

10 Ensure you fill the capillary tube with blood between the two marked lines. Avoid getting air bubbles trapped in the capillary tube (figure h, above).

11 Properly dispose of all contaminated supplies (figure i, above).