HIV testing

Abstract

Testing for HIV infection is not generally required for the appropriate treatment of medical emergencies. Current standard HIV tests rely on the detection of antibodies to the HIV virus and are among the most sensitive and specific tests used in medicine. Standard HIV tests can be unreliable for detecting infection in certain patients, such as individuals who have been recently infected and neonates born to mothers with HIV infection. Other methods for detecting HIV infection, such as viral culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of viral DNA or RNA, and detection of viral antigens have limited clinical applications. Testing for HIV infection requires facilities for effective counseling, access to appropriate medical referrals, and the ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality.