Routine HIV Testing Will Help Destigmatize Disease

A third of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related deaths could be avoided if testing for the disease was more widespread and more socially acceptable. The introduction of universal testing is intended to destigmatize the process.

Guidelines for HIV testing called for tests to be offered to everyone accessing sexual health services, antenatal and abortion services, as well as drug dependency programs, and healthcare services for those diagnosed with tuberculosis. They should be routinely offered to anyone presenting with other clinical indicators for HIV infection, or with an identified risk factor for HIV whenever they access healthcare services.

Any doctor, nurse, midwife, or trained healthcare worker will be able to carry out HIV tests and help reduce late diagnoses of the virus. Treatment for people who discover they are HIV positive a long time after they have contracted the disease can be more difficult and while infected, they may have passed on the disease unknowingly.

The concise guidelines, which advocated normalization of HIV testing, were published on September 30, 2009 in Clinical Medicine the journal of the Royal College of Physicians (London, UK). The guidance was prepared on behalf of the HIV Testing Guidelines Writing Committee, and is a summary of the recommendations from the UK national guidelines for HIV testing 2008 produced by the British HIV Association.

The publication of these guidelines will be supported by a new HIV testing resource pack for clinicians produced by the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MedFASH; London; UK), which will be launched at the British HIV Association Autumn conference 2009, on the 8th October, in London (UK).

Related Links:
Royal College of Physicians
British HIV Association
Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health