Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Benefits of HIV testinga

Benefits of HIV testing

Most HIV testing is combined with HIV risk-reduction counseling and referral for HIV/AIDS treatment (if the person does have HIV). This combination of services is known as Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR) or Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). VCT offers a number of benefits. When HIV-infected people learn of their positive serostatus, they may be able to obtain treatment that can reduce their symptoms and increase their life spans. HIV testing and accompanying counseling also can help people with HIV to initiate behavioral changes that will reduce the likelihood of their being infected with a different strain of HIV or of passing HIV to others. HIV-negative (HIV- or seronegative for HIV) people also can benefit from testing and accompanying counseling, as it may provide them with the knowledge and motivation that they need to take further steps to protect themselves from HIV. In addition, the data that researchers and healthcare workers obtain from analyzing HIV test results help them to learn more about HIV epidemiology and mechanisms of transmission (CDC, 2001, 2006; Family Health International [FHI], 2003; Roland, Fine, & Volberding, 1998).

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