Email This Article    Print

Early HIV Detection Leads to Positive Changes

Med Headlines - Preliminary data suggests a trend toward positive behavior changes when people are diagnosed as HIV-positive soon after they become infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

The first few weeks after infection is considered a period of acute HIV, when the risk of infecting others is highest. When infection is detected early, many people make an abrupt shift in partners and behaviors in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading the virus further themselves.

In the study, led by Wayne Steward, PHD, of the University of California at San Diego’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, participants assessed their sexual behavior before and after diagnosis of HIV infection. Most study participants were homosexual men.

Interviews of study participants were conducted five weeks after diagnosis and again five weeks later.

One striking finding is that, once receiving the HIV-positive diagnosis, more than 95% of study participants pursued sexual relations with people who are also HIV-positive instead of those who are HIV-negative or whose status is unknown.

Other findings indicate that the number of sexual partners dropped significantly after diagnosis and condom use rose dramatically.

Richard Wolitski, PhD, speaking on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV/AIDS Prevention division, reports the study’s findings are consistent with similar studies conducted by other researchers.

The findings suggest early detection may help minimize transmission of the virus. Routine testing using methods that detect the virus as early as possible may be instrumental in prevention strategies practiced by patients diagnosed as HIV-positive.

A 2005 study by the CDC revealed that about half of that study’s participants reported no infection but were actually HIV-positive.

• Mesothelioma Treatment Reaches a New Breakthrough Moment
• Jeez, Doc, Get Some Sleep!
• Medical Exam Predicts Type 2 Diabetes as Well as Genetic Testing
• Medicaid Pays Millions for Unapproved Drugs
• Where’s the Beef? All Fast Foods Based on Corn
• Is Financial Fraud Behind Dramatic Spike in Pediatric Antipsychotics?
• Will Fast-Food Ads Follow the Marlboro Man Into History?