Recently, there has been a growing concern for untreated HIV infections in Australia. These are often associated with ongoing inflammation, development of cardiovascular ailments, liver and kidney diseases, cancer and neurocognitive decline. HIV testing rates are considered to be one of the highest in the world. However, the late presenters have been commonly seen by various healthcare professionals without HIV being diagnosed. This is why there is considerable scope for increasing the early detection of HIV, thus enhancing the long term prediction of all those who are infected and reducing the onward transmission rate.
In Australia, the awareness and prevalence of various sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. This is why doctors and health care professionals should be encouraged to accept the testing, for identifying the patients who are at risk and increase the rate of opportunistic detection by considering HIV testing as a diagnosis, even in those individuals who are not at an overtly high risk. Health professionals should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of an undiagnosed HIV infection and acute seroconversion illness. People suffering the HIV infection might not understand that they are at risk of acquiring HIV. A case in point could be someone thinking that they are in a monogamous relationship, while their partner has multiple partners.
How to Proceed
A pre-test discussion is held to help in establishing consent, for assuaging the risk, explain the benefits and provide details of how and when the result can be obtained. The test gives you the chance to discuss the prospect of risk reduction and assess the post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Some patients need more time and support in order to analyze what is being proposed to make an informed decision. If the person cannot give their consent legally, the responsibility of consent rests with the agency or person who is authorized legally to make such decisions on their behalf.
One of the popular methods of HIV testing is the rapid test which can be conducted at the clinic or in the privacy of the patient's home. The tests are reliable and patients can know the results within 30 minutes. If tested positive, however, a follow up laboratory test should be conducted.
The healthcare professional who requests the HIV test makes sure that appropriate mechanisms are in place for delivering the correct results. Patients might even require a retest in case they are still within the window period in case of a defined risk situation. Positive test results should always be given in person other than extenuating circumstances (when there is a feeling that the patient might not get back to the health care facility and carry on practicing high risk behavior on the basis of wrongly assuming that they are HIV negative).
The provider should supply them with the relevant information of detecting the infection and future options for treatment including considering the need to get to the support agencies and other specialized services. They make sure that the patient understands the way the infection is transmitted and supports them with strategies for partner notification. Patients are generally referred to services that are adept at contact tracing.
In Australia, the awareness and prevalence of various sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. This is why doctors and health care professionals should be encouraged to accept the testing, for identifying the patients who are at risk and increase the rate of opportunistic detection by considering HIV testing as a diagnosis, even in those individuals who are not at an overtly high risk. Health professionals should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of an undiagnosed HIV infection and acute seroconversion illness. People suffering the HIV infection might not understand that they are at risk of acquiring HIV. A case in point could be someone thinking that they are in a monogamous relationship, while their partner has multiple partners.
How to Proceed
A pre-test discussion is held to help in establishing consent, for assuaging the risk, explain the benefits and provide details of how and when the result can be obtained. The test gives you the chance to discuss the prospect of risk reduction and assess the post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Some patients need more time and support in order to analyze what is being proposed to make an informed decision. If the person cannot give their consent legally, the responsibility of consent rests with the agency or person who is authorized legally to make such decisions on their behalf.
One of the popular methods of HIV testing is the rapid test which can be conducted at the clinic or in the privacy of the patient's home. The tests are reliable and patients can know the results within 30 minutes. If tested positive, however, a follow up laboratory test should be conducted.
The healthcare professional who requests the HIV test makes sure that appropriate mechanisms are in place for delivering the correct results. Patients might even require a retest in case they are still within the window period in case of a defined risk situation. Positive test results should always be given in person other than extenuating circumstances (when there is a feeling that the patient might not get back to the health care facility and carry on practicing high risk behavior on the basis of wrongly assuming that they are HIV negative).
The provider should supply them with the relevant information of detecting the infection and future options for treatment including considering the need to get to the support agencies and other specialized services. They make sure that the patient understands the way the infection is transmitted and supports them with strategies for partner notification. Patients are generally referred to services that are adept at contact tracing.
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