All tests have been approved by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, SwissmedicExternal link.
Until now, HIV tests in Switzerland could be carried out only by a health professional in a medical environment, for example at a doctor’s surgery or at a hospital.
To spread awareness and to improve the detection rate of the virus, the health office and the Federal Commission for Sexual Health have recently recommended that such self-tests should be distributed to the Swiss public.
It is estimated that around a fifth of all infected people in Switzerland are unaware that they carry the HIV virus.
The screening tests can be obtained in pharmacies and drugstores nationwide and are also available via the internet.
The self-test kit uses a small amount of blood from a finger pin-prick sample to detect the presence of HIV antibodies.
Each individual testing kit must be provided with an information leaflet which states that in the case of a positive result, the individual concerned should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
With a self-administered test, an HIV infection can be detected in less than 30 minutes. Proponents of the method hope to reduce the number of affected people who are unaware of their status, while opponents say the test should remain in the hands of professionals, arguing that even small user errors can lead to an incorrect result.
More
More
Federal commission wants to green-light home HIV tests
This content was published on
The Commission for Sexual Health has recommended the distribution of home-based HIV screening tests, which until now have been banned in Switzerland.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Swiss companies maintain financial stability amid European struggles
This content was published on
Swiss companies continue to demonstrate financial robustness compared to their European counterparts, although corporate restructuring activities have increased in recent months.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
Kudelski Group to sell Skidata division to Assa Abloy
This content was published on
The Kudelski Group is selling its Skidata division to the Swedish manufacturer of locking and security systems Assa Abloy.
Tragic weekend in Swiss waters: three bodies recovered
This content was published on
Swiss authorities recovered three bodies from local waters over the weekend, with one incident occurring in Zurich and two in Zug.
Lake Parade in Geneva attracts over 100,000 people
This content was published on
The 22nd Lake Parade and the Lake Sensation in Geneva attracted over 100,000 people in summery weather on Saturday. There were no major incidents at either event.
Graubünden storm causes significant economic damage, prompting support measures
This content was published on
The recent storm in Misox, in canton Graubünden, has resulted in severe economic damage, affecting SMEs, tourism, and agricultural land.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
When Switzerland put its hang-ups on hold
This content was published on
The Swiss HIV prevention campaigns in the 1980s were models of effectiveness. A new book tracks the roots of their success.
This content was published on
Evaluating aid programmes, collecting data, and analysing disease outbreaks: these are just some of the tasks of a modern medical charity worker.
This content was published on
Compared with 2015, the number of cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia have increased by 20%, 15% and 8% respectively in 2016. However, reported cases of HIV have stabilised for the second year in a row. Men constitute the majority of STI cases accounting for 79%, 89% and 78% of all reported cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis…
Many sex workers in Switzerland still go unprotected
This content was published on
Sex workers in Switzerland know about safe sex, yet many skip condoms for the sake of business, says a new study by the University of Lausanne.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.