The New York Times is reporting that the FDA has approved an oral HIV test that is said to give results within 20 minutes.

Although 20-minute blood-based tests have been available for about 2-years, this is a significant step forward because it doesn't require that the health care worker administering the test handle blood.

OraSure Technologies, the company that developed the test, is a big name in oral fluid testing.

The article also cites concerns from privacy and AIDS advocacy groups about the potential threat that such a non-invasive test may pose to the privacy of people with HIV. One advocate questions whether we might begin seeing these tests required for entry into the US or other countries.