Acute HIV Infection—New York City, 2008

Acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (AHI) is a highly infectious phase of disease that lasts approximately two months and is characterized by nonspecific clinical symptoms. AHI contributes disproportionately to HIV transmission because it is associated with a high level of viremia, despite negative or indeterminate antibody tests. Diagnosis of AHI with individual or pooled nucleic acid amplification tests can enable infected persons to adopt behaviors that reduce HIV transmission, facilitate partner referral for counseling and testing, and identify social networks of persons with elevated rates of HIV transmission. Here, Shepard et al discuss how New York City increased its effort to detect AHI and demonstrate the feasibility of AHI surveillance. A CDC editorial note is included.