HIV, HBsAg, HCV & Syphilis Rapid Test Do’s & Don’ts

HIV HBsAg HCV syphilis rapid test dos and donts infographic showing storage sample handling correct buffer timing control line invalid results and common rapid test errors

Rapid Tests May Look Similar — But They Are Not Interchangeable

HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis rapid diagnostic tests can look remarkably similar.

Many use a small cassette containing:

A sample well
A result window
A control indicator
A test indicator
A supplied buffer or diluent

But visual similarity does not mean that their operating instructions are identical.

Different tests can require different:

Specimen types
Blood volumes
Buffer volumes
Sample application methods
Waiting times
Reading windows
Storage conditions
Interpretation criteria

The most important rule across this entire article is therefore:

Use the exact Instructions for Use (IFU) supplied with the exact test kit being performed.

The Four Rapid Tests Covered in This Guide

Test	Main Marker	Typical Screening Role
HIV Rapid Test	HIV antibodies, or antibodies + p24 antigen depending on assay	Initial HIV screening
HBsAg Rapid Test	Hepatitis B surface antigen	Hepatitis B screening
HCV Rapid Test	Usually Anti-HCV antibodies	Initial hepatitis C antibody screening
Syphilis Rapid Test	Usually treponemal antibodies	Initial syphilis screening

For a detailed biological comparison, read:

HIV vs HBsAg vs HCV vs Syphilis Rapid Tests: What Does Each Test Detect?

The Universal Rapid-Test Quality Formula

A useful way to remember reliable rapid testing is:

Correct Test
+
Correct Storage
+
Correct Specimen
+
Correct Sample Volume
+
Correct Buffer
+
Correct Timing
+
Correct Interpretation
=
More Reliable Screening

An error at any stage can produce:

An Invalid result
A difficult-to-read result
A misleading Reactive result
A misleading Non-Reactive result
A test that fails to flow correctly

1. DO Confirm You Have the Correct Test

Before opening the pouch, confirm exactly which infection the cassette is designed to screen for.

Do not identify the product only by:

Cassette shape
Buffer-bottle colour
Outer-box colour
Dropper appearance

Read the label.

Confirm whether the test is for:

HIV
HBsAg
HCV
Syphilis

These tests detect completely different biological markers.

2. DO Check the Product's Intended Use

Before performing any RDT, confirm:

Who the manufacturer intends to use the product
Which specimen types are validated
Whether special equipment is required
Whether professional interpretation or follow-up is required

Do not assume that every visually similar cassette is automatically suitable for home self-testing.

Professional-use and self-testing products can have different instructions, accessories and regulatory intended uses.

3. DO Read the Exact IFU Before Testing

The manufacturer's Instructions for Use are the primary operational reference.

The IFU should define details such as:

Validated specimen type
Required specimen volume
Required buffer amount
Sequence of testing steps
Reading time
Maximum interpretation time
Storage conditions
Result interpretation
Limitations

A generic online tutorial should never override the exact IFU.

4. DON'T Copy Instructions from Another Brand

This is one of the most common rapid-test mistakes.

Do not copy another brand's:

Blood volume
Number of buffer drops
Waiting period
Storage-temperature range
Interpretation diagram

Even two products that detect the same infection can use different assay chemistry and operating conditions.

Same disease ≠ same test instructions.

5. DON'T Transfer Instructions Between HIV, HBsAg, HCV & Syphilis Kits

The same rule applies even more strongly between different disease tests.

For example, never assume:

HIV instructions = HBsAg instructions

or:

HCV instructions = Syphilis instructions.

These tests can differ in reagents, membrane design, specimen requirements and validated timing.

6. DO Check the Expiry Date Before Opening the Test

Always check the expiry date printed on the manufacturer's packaging.

Do not use an RDT after its stated expiry date.

Expired reagents may no longer perform according to their validated specifications even when:

The cassette looks normal
The pouch remains sealed
A control line might still appear

7. DO Check the Lot or Batch Number

Lot or batch information is especially important in:

Laboratories
Clinics
Hospitals
Screening camps
High-volume testing sites

Recording lot information can assist with:

Quality-control investigations
Stock rotation
Complaint investigation
Manufacturer communication
Recall or advisory management

8. DO Inspect the Foil Pouch Before Use

The individual foil pouch protects the test from environmental exposure.

Before opening it, check for:

Tears
Punctures
Incomplete seals
Water damage
Evidence that the pouch was previously opened

If pouch integrity is questionable, do not assume the enclosed cassette remains reliable.

9. DON'T Open the Pouch Long Before Testing

Rapid tests are often designed to remain protected inside their sealed moisture-resistant packaging until use.

Opening the pouch too early can unnecessarily expose the device to:

Humidity
Dust
Environmental contamination

Open the pouch only when you are ready to perform the test according to the manufacturer's instructions.

10. DO Store Every Product According to Its Own Label

There is no universal storage-temperature range that should be copied onto every HIV, HBsAg, HCV or syphilis RDT.

The correct storage range is the one specified by the manufacturer for that exact product.

Storage areas should generally protect rapid tests from:

Excessive heat
Moisture
Direct sunlight
Water exposure
Inappropriate freezing

Always follow the exact label and IFU.

11. DON'T Assume “Room Temperature” Means Any Temperature

A warehouse, laboratory shelf, vehicle or health-camp tent can become far hotter than an ordinary indoor room.

Therefore, statements such as:

“It was kept at room temperature”

are not enough when actual environmental conditions were uncontrolled.

Professional stock management should follow the manufacturer's specified conditions and appropriate temperature-monitoring procedures.

12. DON'T Leave Rapid Tests in Direct Sunlight

Avoid storing RDTs:

On sunny windowsills
Inside vehicles exposed to heat
Near heaters
Directly under strong heat-producing equipment
In other uncontrolled hot locations

Heat exposure can damage diagnostic reagents before the printed expiry date.

13. DON'T Assume Refrigeration Is Automatically Safer

Some people incorrectly assume:

“If cool storage is good, refrigeration must be better.”

That is not a safe general rule.

Only refrigerate a product when its manufacturer specifies that the relevant storage range permits or requires it.

Likewise, do not freeze an RDT unless the manufacturer's instructions explicitly allow it.

14. What Is a Storage Excursion?

A storage excursion occurs when a product may have been exposed to environmental conditions outside its validated storage requirements.

Possible examples include:

Excessive heat
Possible freezing
High humidity
Water exposure
Prolonged uncontrolled transport
Unknown conditions during shipment

What Should Be Done After a Suspected Storage Excursion?

For professional stock:

Separate or quarantine the affected stock where appropriate.
Record the suspected exposure.
Check the product label and IFU.
Review available temperature or transport records.
Consult the supplier or manufacturer where needed.
Follow the applicable quality-management procedure before releasing questionable stock.

Do not simply assume that the kits remain acceptable because the outer boxes look normal.

15. DO Use FEFO Stock Rotation

Professional facilities can reduce unnecessary expiry by using:

FEFO — First Expiry, First Out.

This means stock with the earliest valid expiry date should generally be used before later-expiring stock, while maintaining all required storage and lot-control procedures.

16. DO Confirm the Correct Specimen Type

Different rapid tests can be validated for different specimens, such as:

Fingerstick capillary whole blood
Venous whole blood
Serum
Plasma
Other manufacturer-specified specimens

Do not assume every kit accepts all of these specimen types.

If the IFU says the test is validated for a specific specimen, use that specimen according to the instructions.

17. DON'T Substitute an Unvalidated Specimen

Do not improvise with:

Saliva
Urine
Diluted blood
Other body fluids

unless the exact assay is specifically designed and validated for that specimen.

For example, a urine pregnancy test and a fingerstick infectious-disease blood test are completely different systems.

18. DO Use Clean Specimen-Collection Technique

Where fingerstick blood is the validated specimen, follow the kit instructions and appropriate blood-sampling technique.

Basic principles include:

Clean hands
Correct skin preparation
Sterile single-use lancet
Correct sample-collection device
Avoiding contamination
Safe sharps disposal

Follow the specific product's directions regarding collection and transfer of the blood specimen.

19. DON'T Reuse Lancets

Lancets intended for single use should never be shared or reused.

Used sharps can expose another person to blood-borne pathogens.

Professional testing sites should dispose of sharps in the appropriate sharps container according to applicable biomedical-waste procedures.

20. DO Use the Correct Sample-Collection Device

A kit may include or specify a particular:

Capillary tube
Dropper
Pipette
Sample loop
Other transfer device

This device may be designed to deliver a particular sample quantity.

Replacing it with another dropper simply because it looks similar can change the amount of specimen delivered.

21. DON'T Guess the Blood Volume

Too much or too little specimen can interfere with proper test flow.

Never estimate the required volume from:

Another brand's instructions
A photograph
Another infection test
Memory from a previously used kit

Use the exact volume specified by the manufacturer.

22. DON'T Assume “One Drop of Blood” Is a Universal Measurement

A free-falling blood drop is not necessarily a standardized measurement.

Different collection devices can deliver different volumes.

If the manufacturer supplies a calibrated collection device or specifies a marked volume, follow that method.

23. DO Put the Sample in the Correct Well

Many lateral-flow cassettes contain labelled wells or ports.

Apply the specimen only to the location specified by the manufacturer.

Do not assume every circular opening has the same function.

24. DO Use the Correct Buffer

The supplied buffer is part of the test system.

It can influence:

Specimen flow
Reagent interaction
Migration along the test membrane
Assay performance

Use the buffer specified for the exact kit.

25. DON'T Use Water or Saline Instead of Buffer

Do not replace the kit buffer with:

Tap water
Distilled water
Normal saline
Another laboratory liquid

unless this is specifically authorised in the product IFU.

The liquids are not interchangeable simply because they are clear.

26. DON'T Swap Buffers Between Tests

Never assume that the following are interchangeable:

HIV buffer

HBsAg buffer

HCV buffer

Syphilis buffer

Even two lots or brands of apparently similar tests may use different formulations.

Keep each buffer with its correct kit.

27. DON'T Guess the Number of Buffer Drops

Too little or too much buffer can change assay migration.

The correct quantity is product specific.

Use only the exact amount specified by the manufacturer's instructions.

28. DO Keep Multi-Use Buffer Bottles Properly Identified

Where a product uses a multi-test or multi-use buffer bottle, laboratories and clinics should keep it associated with:

The correct kit
The correct lot where applicable
The correct expiry / use conditions

Do not create an unlabelled collection of leftover RDT buffers.

29. DO Start Timing at the Correct Point

The IFU should specify when timing begins.

Depending on the product, this may be after:

Specimen application
Buffer application
Completion of another defined step

Follow the exact sequence.

30. DON'T Read the Test Too Early

Reading before the manufacturer's validated interpretation time can produce an incomplete result.

For example, the test line may not yet have fully developed.

Do not call an early result simply because the cassette already appears readable.

31. DON'T Read the Test Too Late

Late interpretation can also be unreliable.

Changes that appear after the validated reading window should not automatically be interpreted as a valid result.

Use a timer and read the device only within the manufacturer's specified interval.

32. DON'T Assume Every RDT Is a “10-Minute Test”

Some tests may provide results around that time, while others have different validated reading windows.

Never apply the timing from one product to another.

33. DO Check the Control Indicator First

Before interpreting the test area, confirm that the required control indicator is present according to the product's instructions.

The control is used to help determine whether the device produced a valid interpretable test run.

34. DON'T Interpret an Invalid Test

If the required control criterion is absent:

The result is Invalid.

It is not:

Reactive
Non-Reactive
Negative
“Almost valid”

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for repeating an Invalid test with an appropriate new device.

35. Does a Control Line Prove Every Step Was Perfect?

Not necessarily.

The built-in control helps establish that the device ran according to the control mechanism designed into that assay.

However, it should not be interpreted as proof that:

The patient was identified correctly
The correct specimen was collected
The exact sample volume was used
The kit was stored correctly for its entire life
The test was read at exactly the correct time
The result was documented against the correct patient

Quality depends on the entire testing process, not only the control line.

36. DO Interpret Faint Test Lines According to the Exact IFU

Do not invent a separate interpretation rule for faint lines.

If the manufacturer's validated interpretation criteria define a visible test line within the correct reading window as Reactive, follow those criteria.

Never judge infection severity from line intensity.

37. DON'T Use Line Darkness to Estimate Disease Severity

Rapid-test line darkness cannot reliably determine:

HIV viral load
HBV DNA level
HCV RNA level
RPR or VDRL titre
How long infection has been present
Extent of liver damage
Likelihood of mother-to-child transmission

A rapid qualitative cassette is not a quantitative viral-load or disease-severity test.

38. DO Distinguish Reactive from Confirmed Diagnosis

The clinical meaning of a Reactive result depends on the infection.

Reactive Test	Important Follow-Up Principle
HIV	Follow the applicable HIV diagnostic algorithm
HBsAg	Assess hepatitis B infection with appropriate laboratory / clinical follow-up
Anti-HCV	Perform HCV RNA to establish current infection
Syphilis Treponemal RDT	Interpret with RPR/VDRL, history and applicable syphilis pathway

39. DON'T Call Every Reactive Screening Test “Confirmed Positive”

This is especially important in patient communication.

The term Reactive accurately describes a screening assay that detected its target marker.

The subsequent diagnostic meaning differs by disease.

40. DON'T Call Every Non-Reactive Result “Definitely No Infection”

A Non-Reactive result should be interpreted in the context of:

Timing since possible exposure
Which biological marker the test detects
The sensitivity and limitations of the exact assay
Symptoms
Clinical history

Recent infection can sometimes be present before the relevant antibody or antigen becomes detectable.

41. Recent Exposure? Timing Matters

Different infection markers become detectable at different times.

For example:

HIV antigen/antibody testing differs from antibody-only testing.
HCV RNA can become detectable before Anti-HCV antibodies.
Syphilis antibodies may not yet be detectable in very early infection.
HBV serological markers change over the course of infection.

A significant recent exposure deserves professional evaluation even when an initial screening result is Non-Reactive.

42. DO Keep the Testing Area Clean and Organized

Professional testing sites should separate:

Unused clean supplies
Specimen-collection materials
Testing devices
Used biohazard material
Sharps waste

An organized workflow reduces the risk of:

Cross-contamination
Patient mix-ups
Wrong-buffer errors
Incorrect timing

43. DO Change Gloves When Appropriate

Professional testing sites should follow appropriate infection-control procedures when handling blood specimens.

Gloves contaminated with one person's blood should not become a route for transferring blood to another specimen, cassette, work surface or person.

44. DON'T Touch the Test Membrane

Avoid touching or contaminating the test window or membrane.

Handle the cassette according to the manufacturer instructions, generally by its intended outer housing.

45. DO Use a Timer

Guessing elapsed time becomes especially unreliable when multiple tests are being performed.

A timer can help ensure that:

Each cassette is read at the appropriate time
Multiple patient tests are not confused
Results are not interpreted after the validated window

46. DO Label Tests Correctly in Professional Settings

When several patients are tested at the same time, each device must remain traceable to the correct person.

Patient-result mix-ups can make a technically correct cassette result clinically wrong for the person receiving it.

47. DON'T Perform Multiple Unlabelled Cassettes Together

A row of visually identical HIV, HBsAg, HCV or syphilis cassettes can easily be confused.

Use an appropriate specimen and test identification system.

48. DO Record Results Promptly

Professional testing sites should record:

Patient or specimen identifier
Test performed
Result
Date and time where required
Operator identification where required
Lot / batch information according to quality procedures

Documentation reduces transcription errors and supports quality investigations.

49. DO Follow Quality-Control Procedures

Professional point-of-care testing should include appropriate quality-management procedures.

These may include:

Internal control checks
External quality-control material
Lot verification
Testing of new shipments
Operator competency assessment
Environmental monitoring
Result documentation

The applicable quality programme depends on the healthcare setting and test system.

50. New Lot or New Shipment? Pay Attention

Professional programmes should have procedures for introducing:

A new test lot
A new shipment
A new operator
Stock exposed to questionable environmental conditions

Quality-control checks can help identify problems before routine patient testing continues.

51. DON'T Mix Components from Different Lots Without Manufacturer Authorization

When kit components are supplied as a matched system, do not casually exchange:

Buffers
Diluents
Droppers
Collection devices
Other reagents

between lots or brands.

Follow the exact manufacturer's instructions.

52. DO Dispose of Used Tests Safely

Used fingerstick tests can contain human blood.

Professional sites should dispose of:

Lancets
Blood-contaminated materials
Used cassettes
Gloves
Collection devices

according to applicable biomedical-waste and infection-control procedures.

53. DON'T Put Used Lancets into Ordinary Loose Waste

Sharps should be placed into an appropriate puncture-resistant sharps container according to local biomedical-waste procedures.

This protects:

The user
Healthcare workers
Cleaning staff
Waste handlers

54. DO Wash Hands After Testing

Hand hygiene remains important even when gloves were used.

Blood-contact procedures should follow appropriate infection-prevention practices.

55. DON'T Reuse a Single-Use Test Cassette

A single-use RDT is designed for one test only.

Do not:

Add a second person's specimen
Try the same specimen again on the used cassette
Add more buffer hours later
Wash and reuse the cassette

56. DON'T “Fix” a Poorly Flowing Test by Adding Random Extra Buffer

If a test does not migrate correctly, follow the product's invalid-test instructions.

Adding an arbitrary extra amount of buffer can move the test outside its validated procedure.

57. DON'T Add More Blood Because the Test Line Looks Faint

Once the test has been run according to the validated procedure, do not modify it in an attempt to make a line darker.

A faint result should be interpreted according to the manufacturer's specified criteria and reading window.

58. DON'T Compare Line Darkness Between Different Tests

The following comparisons are meaningless:

“My HCV line is darker than my HBsAg line.”

or:

“The HIV line is lighter than yesterday's syphilis line.”

Each assay uses different reagents and detects different markers.

59. DON'T Photograph a Test Hours Later for Interpretation

A photograph taken outside the validated reading window may not represent the valid test result.

If a photograph is needed for documentation, it should reflect the properly timed result and applicable local procedure.

60. DO Seek Professional Follow-Up for Unexpected Results

Professional evaluation is particularly important for:

Reactive results
Repeated Invalid tests
Unexpected results inconsistent with previous testing
Recent significant exposure despite a Non-Reactive result
Testing during pregnancy
Symptoms suggesting infection

Special Considerations During Pregnancy

HIV, HBsAg, syphilis and HCV testing can arise during antenatal care.

A rapid test performed during pregnancy requires the same attention to:

Correct product
Correct specimen
Correct timing
Correct interpretation

But pregnancy also increases the importance of completing the appropriate follow-up pathway.

HIV Reactive During Pregnancy

Follow the applicable HIV diagnostic algorithm promptly so appropriate maternal care can begin if infection is established.

HBsAg Reactive During Pregnancy

Maternal hepatitis B requires appropriate follow-up because maternal evaluation and newborn prevention planning can be important.

Syphilis Reactive During Pregnancy

Prompt professional assessment is important because untreated maternal syphilis can affect the fetus and newborn.

Anti-HCV Reactive During Pregnancy

HCV RNA is required to determine whether current maternal HCV infection is present.

For the full pregnancy pathway, read:

Pregnancy Test Positive? Understanding the Next Antenatal Tests: HIV, HBsAg, HCV & Syphilis

HIV Rapid Test: Product-Specific Guides

For instructions and interpretation specific to HIV testing, continue with:

Microsidd HIV Products

HBsAg Rapid Test: Product-Specific Guides

Microsidd HBsAg Product

Microsidd HBsAg Fast Test Kit Mono Pack

HCV Rapid Test: Product-Specific Guides

Microsidd HCV Product

Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit

Syphilis Rapid Test: Product-Specific Guides

Microsidd Syphilis Product

Microsidd Syphilis Fast Test Kit Mono Pack

20 Most Important Rapid-Test Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Better Practice
Using an expired test	Check expiry before testing
Using a damaged pouch	Use intact properly stored stock
Opening the pouch too early	Open when ready to test
Copying another brand's instructions	Use the exact IFU
Guessing blood volume	Use the validated specimen quantity
Using the wrong specimen	Use only validated specimen types
Using an unrelated dropper	Use the specified collection device
Swapping test buffers	Keep each buffer with its correct kit
Using water or saline instead of buffer	Use manufacturer-specified reagent
Guessing buffer-drop count	Follow exact IFU quantity
Reading too early	Use the validated reading time
Reading too late	Do not interpret outside the reading window
Ignoring the control indicator	Establish validity before interpretation
Calling an Invalid test Non-Reactive	Repeat according to IFU
Estimating viral load from line darkness	Treat RDT as qualitative
Calling every Reactive result a confirmed diagnosis	Use infection-specific follow-up
Assuming recent infection is excluded	Consider diagnostic window and exposure timing
Leaving kits in excessive heat or sunlight	Follow exact storage conditions
Reusing lancets or cassettes	Use single-use components once
Poor result documentation	Maintain traceable records in professional settings

Rapid-Test Pre-Use Checklist

Before testing, confirm:

Correct product
Correct intended use
Correct specimen
Expiry valid
Pouch intact
Kit stored correctly
Correct collection device available
Correct buffer available
IFU available
Timer available
Appropriate waste disposal available

Rapid-Test During-Use Checklist

Identify the correct specimen / patient
Use the exact sample quantity
Place sample in the correct location
Add only the specified buffer
Use the correct amount of buffer
Start timing at the specified step
Do not move or interfere with the device unnecessarily

Rapid-Test Result Checklist

Read within the correct time window
Check the control criterion first
Interpret according to the exact test diagram
Do not estimate severity from line darkness
Record the result where applicable
Follow the infection-specific pathway for Reactive results
Consider recent exposure when a Non-Reactive result may be too early

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same instructions for all rapid test kits?

No. Sample volume, buffer quantity, timing, storage and result interpretation can differ between products.

Can HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis kits use the same buffer?

Do not interchange buffers unless the manufacturer explicitly states that they are interchangeable.

Can I use saline if the test buffer is missing?

No substitution should be made unless specifically authorised in the exact product IFU.

Can I use water instead of rapid-test buffer?

No. Water is not automatically an acceptable substitute for the manufacturer's supplied assay reagent.

Can I add extra buffer if the test is flowing slowly?

Do not add arbitrary extra buffer. Follow the product's instructions for an improperly flowing or Invalid test.

Can I add more blood if the result looks weak?

No. Once the test is running, do not alter the validated procedure in an attempt to strengthen a line.

Can I read the cassette after an hour?

Only results read within the manufacturer's validated interpretation window should be used.

What does no control line mean?

It generally means the test is Invalid according to the relevant test's control criteria. Follow the IFU for repeating the test.

Does a faint test line mean low infection?

No. Rapid-test line intensity should not be used to estimate viral load, bacterial burden or disease severity.

Does a dark HCV line mean high HCV viral load?

No. HCV antibody rapid-test line intensity does not measure HCV RNA.

Does a dark HBsAg line mean high HBV DNA?

No. HBsAg rapid-test line intensity cannot be converted into an HBV DNA viral-load result.

Can a syphilis rapid-test line indicate the RPR titre?

No. Treponemal rapid-test line intensity does not provide an RPR or VDRL titre.

Can an HIV test line show HIV viral load?

No. HIV rapid screening tests are not HIV viral-load assays.

Can I use an expired rapid test if the control line appears?

No. A test should not be used after the manufacturer's stated expiry date.

Can I use a test if the foil pouch was already open?

Follow the manufacturer's instructions. A cassette that has been stored outside its protective pouch beyond the validated conditions should not be assumed reliable.

Can rapid tests be stored in a refrigerator?

Only when the exact product's labelled storage conditions allow it. Refrigeration should not be assumed to be universally appropriate.

Can rapid tests be frozen?

Do not freeze them unless the manufacturer's instructions explicitly allow freezing.

Can all rapid tests be stored at the same temperature?

No universal numerical storage range should be assumed. Follow the exact manufacturer label for each product.

What should I do if a shipment became very hot?

For professional inventory, separate questionable stock, document the event, review the manufacturer's requirements and obtain supplier/manufacturer or quality-management guidance before use.

Can I reuse a lancet on the same person?

A single-use lancet should be used only once and disposed of safely.

Can a rapid-test cassette be reused?

No. Single-use cassettes are intended for one test only.

Can a Non-Reactive result exclude infection immediately after exposure?

Not always. Different tests have different diagnostic windows, and professional follow-up may be needed after recent significant exposure.

Should every Reactive result be called a confirmed infection?

No. HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis each have different follow-up pathways.

What should I do after Reactive Anti-HCV?

Appropriate HCV RNA testing is needed to establish whether current hepatitis C infection is present.

What should happen after Reactive syphilis screening?

Interpretation commonly requires RPR/VDRL, treatment history, clinical assessment and the applicable diagnostic pathway.

What should happen after Reactive HIV screening?

Proceed through the applicable HIV diagnostic algorithm.

What should happen after Reactive HBsAg?

Obtain appropriate hepatitis B evaluation, which may include additional serology, HBV DNA and liver-health assessment depending on the clinical situation.

Are these tests especially important during pregnancy?

HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B have important established antenatal prevention pathways. HCV is also pregnancy-relevant, although screening recommendations vary by jurisdiction.

Explore the Maternal & Infectious Disease Testing Pathway

Medical Information Notice

This article provides general educational information about rapid diagnostic-test handling. It does not replace the manufacturer's Instructions for Use, laboratory standard operating procedures, local quality-management requirements, infection-control procedures or professional medical advice.

Exact specimen volume, buffer volume, reading time, storage-temperature range and result criteria are product specific. Always follow the exact IFU for the product being used.

HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis RDTs detect different markers and have different diagnostic follow-up pathways. A Reactive result should be interpreted according to the infection, assay and applicable clinical testing algorithm.

Recent infection can sometimes be present despite an initially Non-Reactive screening result if testing occurs before the relevant marker becomes detectable.

Anyone who is pregnant, has had a recent significant exposure, has symptoms, receives a Reactive result or repeatedly obtains Invalid results should obtain appropriate professional evaluation.

Rapid Test Do’s & Don’ts: HIV, HBsAg, HCV & Syphilis Sample Handling, Storage & Common Errors