In this post, I link to CDC Resources On HIV Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prevention.

HIV Nexus CDC Resources For Clinicians

Effective HIV prevention and treatment occurs across a continuum of care. This comprehensive approach spanning from HIV screening to treatment can help reduce new HIV infections and improve health outcomes among people with HIV (PWH). The CDC HIV Nexus is a one-stop location for information across the HIV continuum, including up-to-date tools and guidelines for your practice, and educational materials for your patients.

Screening for HIV

HIV screening is recommended for all adolescents and adults 13-64 years of age. Testing can reduce HIV transmission and early diagnosis can improve medical outcomes.

Benefits of Routine Screening

Benefits of Routine Screening

HIV Testing. Linkage to Care. The Time Is Now.
An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and approximately 1 in 7 (nearly 15%) are unaware of their status. About 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people undiagnosed and unaware they have HIV.

Diagnosing HIV quickly and linking people to treatment immediately are crucial to achieving further reduction in new HIV infections.1

Primary care providers (PCPs) are the front line for detecting and preventing the spread of HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking PCPs to2:

  • Conduct routine HIV screening at least once for all their patients
  • Conduct more frequent screenings for patients at greater risk for HIV
  • Link all patients who test positive for HIV to medical treatment, care, and prevention services

Missed Opportunities for HIV Testing

Despite seeing a PCP, many people at high risk* for HIV are not getting tested every year.4 More than 75% of patients at high risk for HIV who saw a PCP in the last year weren't offered an HIV test4 during their visit.

*Persons likely to be at high risk include: PWID and their sex partners, persons who exchange sex for money or drugs, sex partners of persons with HIV infection, and MSM or heterosexual persons who themselves or whose sex partners have had more than one sex partner since their most recent HIV test.

Learn more about benefits of early ART and HIV Treatment and Care.

Benefits of Early HIV Diagnosis

People with HIV who are aware of their status should be prescribed ART and, by achieving and maintaining an undetectable (<200 copies/mL) viral load, can remain healthy for many years.5 ART is now recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of CD4 count.6 Studies show that the sooner people start treatment after diagnosis, the more they benefit from ART. Early diagnosis followed by prompt

ART initiation5,7:

  • Reduces HIV-associated morbidity and mortality
  • Greatly decreases HIV transmission to others
  • May reduce risk of serious non-AIDS‒related diseases

Learn more about undetectable viral load and effectively no risk of transmission.

How Often Should Patients be Screened?

The CDC recommends that individuals between the ages of 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care and that those with risk factors get tested more frequently. Patients who may be at high risk for HIV should be screened at least annually 2, 9:

  • PWID and their sex partners
  • People who exchange sex for money or drugs
  • Sex partners of people with HIV
  • Sexually active MSM (more frequent testing may be beneficial; e.g., every 3‒6 months)
  • Heterosexuals who themselves or whose sex partners have had ≥1 sex partner since their most recent HIV test
  • People receiving treatment for hepatitis, tuberculosis, or a sexually transmitted disease

Routine HIV Screening is endorsed by:

Diagnostic Tests

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