HIV TESTING

HIV TESTING

Testing for HIV Is the Critical First Step of the Status Neutral Care Continuum.1

Determining whether someone is living with HIV or not can initiate their linkage to an HIV care provider if positive or will confirm their eligibility for further PrEP assessment if negative.2,3

test tube

Several resources are available for detailed education about HIV diagnostic testing:

National HIV Curriculum

CDC Resources

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has given HIV screening a grade A recommendation for all pregnant persons and for all adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65 years.4 This grade indicates that their review found that there is high certainty that the net benefit of this service is substantial.

According to the USPSTF, adolescents younger than age 15 and adults older than age 65 should be screened if they are at increased risk of HIV acquisition.4 Furthermore, screening for HIV infection is recommended in all pregnant persons, including those who present in labor or at delivery whose HIV status is unknown. The full USPSTF recommendation has more information.

Local HIV testing resources

AIDSVu website

HIV.gov website

Evaluating Test Results

About PrEP

People Who May Benefit From PrEP

References:

  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HIV national strategic plan for the United States: a roadmap to end the epidemic 2021-2025. Updated on January 15, 2021. Accessed on October 29, 2021. https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/hiv-national-strategic-plan/hiv-plan-2021-2025
  2. National HIV Curriculum. HIV diagnostic testing. Updated August 31, 2020. Accessed October 13, 2021. https://www.hiv.uw.edu/go/screening-diagnosis/diagnostic-testing/core-concept/all
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Laboratory tests. Accessed October 13, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/laboratorytests.html
  4. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection: screening. Published June 11, 2019. Accessed October 13, 2021. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-screening