Science Breakthrough of the Year: Treatment as Prevention

The finding that antiretroviral (ARV) drugs reduce the risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV was chosen by Science as the 2011 Breakthrough of the Year.

Science Article
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6063/1628.full

Original Article
M. S. Cohen et al., “Prevention of HIV-1 Infection with Early Antiretroviral Therapy,” N. Engl. J. Med. 365, 493-505 (2011).

 

New HIV Testing Recommendations

Offer and recommend a routine HIV test to all adults who have not been tested in the past year, under the following conditions:
  • Whenever any other bloodwork is ordered
  • Whenever a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) test or diagnosis occurs (same for Hepatitis C & Tuberculosis)
  • Whenever asked for an HIV test
Patients with an identified risk may benefit from more frequent testing, e.g. every 3-6 months. Continue to routinely order HIV tests with prenatal bloodwork