Open AccessExpanding HIV Testing
Author(s) -
Bernard M. Branson,
Abigail H. Viall,
Elizabeth Marum
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/qai.0b013e3182986f25
Subject(s) - optimism , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , test strategy , antiretroviral therapy , medicine , diagnostic test , developing country , test (biology) , limited resources , intensive care medicine , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , psychology , immunology , viral load , economic growth , pediatrics , biology , economics , social psychology , programming language , paleontology , software
The value of HIV testing has grown in parallel with the development of increasingly effective HIV treatment. Evidence for the substantial reductions in transmission when persons receive antiretroviral therapy creates a new impetus to increase testing and early diagnosis. Models of treatment as prevention--dubbed "test and treat"--give reason for optimism that control and elimination of HIV may now be within reach. This will be possible only with widespread testing, prompt and accurate diagnosis, and universal access to immediate antiviral therapy. Many successful approaches for scaling up testing were pioneered in resource-limited countries before they were adopted by countries in the developed world. The future of HIV testing is changing. Lessons learned from other case-finding initiatives can help chart the course for comparable HIV testing endeavors.