Diagnosing HIV Infection During Healthcare Visits: Can We Do Better?

Almost 20% of HIV-infected individuals in the U.S. are unaware of their HIV status and thus could inadvertently transmit the virus to others. With the implementation of guidelines for improved HIV testing and screening in 2006, fewer missed diagnostic opportunities and higher CD4-cell counts among newly diagnosed patients would be expected. To assess progress on these fronts, researchers conducted a retrospective study, comparing data for cases diagnosed in Durham County, North Carolina, between 2008 and 2011 and for those diagnosed between 2002 and 2004.

Of the 101 individuals with diagnoses between 2008 and 2011, 66% were male and 72% were black. Compared with the 2002–2004 cohort, the 2008–2011 cohort had a significantly greater proportio…