Early detection is one of the keys to containing and treating most diseases, and HIV is no exception. As most people know, there is no cure for HIV once it is contracted, making prevention and early detection all the more important. According to numerous studies, early detection allows for quick access to medical treatment and helps discourage unsafe behaviors that can transmit the disease. Thanks to medical advances, HIV screening is minimally invasive and can usually be performed using a urine, oral fluid, or small blood sample.

1. The Basics of HIV
Screening
By Dr. Geoffrey Mountvarner

2. The Basics of HIV Screening
Early detection is one of the keys to containing
and treating most diseases, and HIV is no
exception. As most people know, there is no
cure for HIV once it is contracted, making
prevention and early detection all the more
important. According to numerous studies, early
detection allows for quick access to medical
treatment and helps discourage unsafe
behaviors that can transmit the disease. Thanks
to medical advances, HIV screening is minimally
invasive and can usually be performed using a
urine, oral fluid, or small blood sample.

3. The Basics of HIV Screening
In 2006, the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention released revised recommendations
for HIV screening, replacing the previous
guidelines that had been in effect since 1993.
The new screening standards are part of a
concerted effort by politicians, health care
professionals, and others to raise public
awareness about the disease and ensure those
who are infected know their status and potential
risk to others. Here are some of the CDC’s major
HIV screening revisions:

4. The Basics of HIV Screening
~Screening in a health care setting is now recommended
for all patients. Those individuals who are at high risk for
infection are advised to be tested at least once per year.
~General consent, as opposed to separate written
consent, is now acceptable for allowing HIV testing.
~Those undergoing HIV screening or testing should no
longer be required to attend prevention counseling.
~Several of the guidelines pertain specifically to
pregnant women, such as including HIV screening with
other prenatal tests and performing an additional screen
in the third trimester in particular cases.

5. About the Author
A specialist in emergency medicine, Dr.
Geoffrey Mountvarner currently presides
as the Chief and Interim Chairman at
Howard University’s Department of
Emergency Medicine in Washington, D.C.
During the course of his career, Dr.
Geoffrey Mountvarner has performed in-
depth research on routine HIV screenings
for the Woman’s Health Institute.

6. About the Author
A specialist in emergency medicine, Dr.
Geoffrey Mountvarner currently presides
as the Chief and Interim Chairman at
Howard University’s Department of
Emergency Medicine in Washington, D.C.
During the course of his career, Dr.
Geoffrey Mountvarner has performed in-
depth research on routine HIV screenings
for the Woman’s Health Institute.