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Pharmacy Links

UNDERSTANDING TESTS FOR HIV: WHO SHOULD GET TESTED-CONDITIONS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIV INFECTION

19/01/11

Sometimes a physician requests the test because a person has certain conditions that suggest or are associated with HIV infection. Such sexually transmitted diseases as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are associated with higher rates of HIV infection. Tuberculosis is also associated with higher rates of HIV infection. The Centers for Disease Control advocates HIV tests for anyone with a sexually transmitted disease or with tuberculosis.

Specific conditions that suggest HIV infection. Some conditions specifically suggest HIV infection, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, cryptococcal meningitis, and toxoplasmic encephalitis. These conditions are the so-called opportunistic infections that occur in a weakened immune system and, if accompanied by a positive HIV blood test, are diagnostic of AIDS. Other conditions suggest HIV infection more vaguely: unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever lasting for a month, or diarrhea lasting at least a month. Low blood

counts—including low red blood cell counts (anemia), low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), and low platelets (thrombocytopenia)—also suggest HIV infection.

People with these latter conditions are also likely to have any number of other diagnoses. The physician of anyone with any of these conditions will recommend that the person be tested for HIV.

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UNDERSTANDING TESTS FOR HIV: WHO SHOULD GET TESTED-CONDITIONS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIV INFECTIONSometimes a physician requests the test because a person has certain conditions that suggest or are associated with HIV infection. Such sexually transmitted diseases as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are associated with higher rates of HIV infection. Tuberculosis is also associated with higher rates of HIV infection. The Centers for Disease Control advocates HIV tests for anyone with a sexually transmitted disease or with tuberculosis. Specific conditions that suggest HIV infection. Some conditions specifically suggest HIV infection, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, cryptococcal meningitis, and toxoplasmic encephalitis. These conditions are the so-called opportunistic infections that occur in a weakened immune system and, if accompanied by a positive HIV blood test, are diagnostic of AIDS. Other conditions suggest HIV infection more vaguely: unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever lasting for a month, or diarrhea lasting at least a month. Low blood counts—including low red blood cell counts (anemia), low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), and low platelets (thrombocytopenia)—also suggest HIV infection. People with these latter conditions are also likely to have any number of other diagnoses. The physician of anyone with any of these conditions will recommend that the person be tested for HIV.*257\191\2*