Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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United Press International - Tuesday, June 1, 2004
The Federal Trade Commission, in a complaint, alleges Seville Marketing Ltd. of British Columbia, deceptively advertised the Discreet tests kits' results were 99.4 percent accurate - making the advertising for the $29.95 kits a violation of U.S. laws.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta tested the accuracy of the kits and found the results "changed dramatically" during the 15 minutes results were reported.
CDC officials said after three minutes, 15.4 percent of the kits gave erroneous readings; after 8 minutes, 29.6 percent registered inaccurate results; and after 15 minutes, 59.3 percent of the kits gave inaccurate results.
The kits showed both inaccurate HIV-positive results and inaccurate HIV-negative results.
The FTC recommended any consumer relying on the results of a Discreet HIV home test kit should see a health professional and take another test to determine his or her HIV status.
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