Rapid Diagnostic Testing for HIV:
Clinical Implications of a New Diagnostic Tool

COUNSELING PATIENTS WITH A PRELIMINARY POSITIVE RAPID HIV TEST

Confirmatory testing is always required to confirm a reactive rapid HIV test result. The challenge is providing reactive (preliminary positive) results to patients without the benefit of a same-day confirmatory test. For all patients with a reactive rapid HIV test result, however, it is essential to:

• Explain that this is a preliminary test result that needs to be confirmed.
• Emphasize the importance of confirmatory testing and schedule a return visit for the confirmatory test results.
• Underscore the importance of taking precautions to avoid the possibility of transmitting infection to others while awaiting results of confirmatory testing.¹⁴