Concise guidelines: Testing for HIV

These guidelines were originally published in Clinical Medicine, volume 9 issue 5.

HIV is now a treatable medical condition and the majority of those living with the virus remain fit and well on treatment. Despite this, a significant number of people in the UK are unaware of their HIV infection, remaining at risk of passing on their virus unwittingly to others, and failing to benefit from treatment themselves. Testing for HIV infection is often not performed even when it is clinically indicated and this contributes to missed or late diagnosis, which is the most important factor associated with HIV-related morbidity and mortality in the UK.

These guidelines summarise the recommendations from the UK national guidelines for HIV testing 2008 and aims to raise awareness in healthcare professionals of the clinical indications for HIV testing.