Americans aged 13-64 should be routinely tested for HIV, says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only people who actively refuse should be the ones who aren’t tested. The CDC, in a drive to increase early HIV detection, would also like to see new measures that would improve HIV diagnosis for pregnant women.

As of December 2004, 944,306 people were diagnosed with AIDS in the USA. 56% had died (529,113). Between 1994-1999 the number of AIDS cases and deaths fell significantly. During 1999-2004 the numbers stabilized. Since 1994, the numbers of cases among minority populations and those exposed through heterosexual contact has increased.

According to the CDC, there are about one quarter of a million people in the USA who are HIV-positive, but don’t know they are. It is virtually impossible to know how many of them are infecting other people.

Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, CDC Director, said “The goal is to increase the early diagnosis of HIV, so that people could access treatment, know their HIV status, and be helped and supported in efforts to take of themselves, but also to prevent transmission to other people. These new recommendations will help us reach our ultimate goal of no child with infection, no person untreated or undiagnosed, and no transmission of HIV among people in this country.”

The recommendations, if taken up, would be voluntary, i.e. clinics, doctors’ practices and insurance groups would be expected to follow the recommendations voluntarily.

Health professionals would explain to patients that HIV testing is routine, as is testing for cholesterol or blood pressure. Patients could refuse to have the test. The health professionals should be expected to provide the patient with comprehensive HIV information, says the CDC.

Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, National Center for HIV, STD, & TB Prevention, CDC, said “The goal of the new recommendations is to make sure that anyone who seeks medical care also has the opportunity to learn if they are infected with HIV.”

The CDC would like to see HIV testing incorporated into general consent for medical care. At the moment there are barriers which undermine widespread testing, such as pretest counseling and separate written consent.

Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings
Prepared by
Bernard M. Branson, H. Hunter Handsfield, Margaret A. Lampe, Robert S. Janssen, Allan W. Taylor, Sheryl B. Lyss, Jill E. Clark,
Click here to view the recommendations online

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today