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Making the Case: Clinical Benefit
In addition to promoting good public health, routine HIV testing can improve clinical care in the ED, especially for patients who present with conditions related to early, undetected HIV infection.
Earlier diagnosis of HIV through expanded testing efforts expedites access to appropriate treatment, thus improving the quality of care for infected patients. The remarkable developments in HIV treatment over the past ten years, specifically the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), dramatically reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality.(11) Therefore, early identification and initiation of therapy, especially during the asymptomatic period, may delay disease progression and limit opportunistic infections, thus lengthening and improving the lives of those with HIV.
Click here for a clinical discussion of the value of HIV testing.
Cited Sources
11. Paltiel AD, Weinstein MC, Kimmel AD, et al. Expanded screening for HIV in the United States - an analysis of cost-effectiveness. New England Journal of Medicine. Feb 10 2005;352(6):586-595.
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