infectious diseases
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
Screening for HIV
Screening antibody tests or newer combination antigen/antibody tests should be offered routinely to adults and adolescents, particularly pregnant women, regardless of their perceived risk. For people at highest risk, especially sexually active people who have multiple partners and who do not practice safe sex, testing should be repeated every 6 to 12 months. Such testing is confidential and available, often free of charge, in many public and private facilities throughout the world. Rapid tests have the advantage of offering preliminary test results at the initial encounter in less than 25 minutes. They are especially useful for people who are unlikely to return for their test results. People receiving HIV testing should also be provided information on prevention, care, and treatment services. In the United States, screening for HIV infection is recommended in all adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65 years and in younger adolescents and older adults who are at increased risk of infection (seeUS Preventive Services Task Force: HIV Screening). Screening is also recommended in all pregnant persons, including those who present in labor or at delivery whose HIV status is unknown. The World Health Organization suggests that, in settings with a high HIV burden, HIV testing be done using rapid antibody tests and enzyme immunoassays (seeConsolidated guidelines on HIV testing services, July 2019). 