Updated CDC guidelines for HIV testing: a review for Wisconsin practitioners

Abstract

An estimated 250,000 people in the United States are living with undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Those who are unaware they are HIV-infected miss opportunities for early treatment and may unknowingly infect others. Early identification of HIV-infected individuals benefits both the infected individuals and the health of the public. To decrease the number of individuals unaware that they are HIV-infected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised its recommendations for HIV testing in health care settings. Changes in the CDC-recommended HIV testing protocol include expanding the population to be routinely tested and streamlining the testing and consent process. This article discusses the CDC recommendations, current Wisconsin laws regarding HIV testing, challenges associated with reconciling these laws with current CDC guidelines, and ethical concerns surrounding the guidelines. The authors conclude that Wisconsin health care professionals should adopt the CDC recommendations for HIV testing. However, to fully implement the revised CDC testing protocol, Wisconsin law will need to be amended. Adoption of these recommendations would increase the number of people in Wisconsin who are aware of their HIV-positive status and can then receive timely treatment and information about preventing HIV transmission.