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

CONCLUSION

Rapid diagnostic HIV testing will improve the proportion of patients who receive their test results, help with clinical decision making regarding the use of short course antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk of vertical HIV transmission for women who present in labor with unknown HIV status, and to help determine the need for post-exposure prophylaxis for potential occupational and nonoccupational exposures to HIV.^16,17,21 As HIV counseling, testing, and referral advance, it is imperative that adjustments be made in recommendations and practices.

Rapid diagnostic HIV testing can be performed at the point of patient care. It offers clinicians an option to do on-site rapid HIV testing and provide patients with results in 20 to 40 minutes. Persons found to be infected with HIV should be referred for medical care by a provider with experience and expertise treating HIV disease, be referred for prevention services, and be referred for social services. HIV/AIDS reporting requirements should be followed.