HIV Infection among Patients in U.S. Acute Care Hospitals: Strategies for the Counseling and Testing of Hospital Patients

TESTING hospital patients for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can identify those with early infection in a setting where there is ready access to appropriate counseling, clinical referral, evaluation, and therapy. 1 2 3 4 Knowledge of such infection allows infected persons to seek appropriate medical treatment with antiretroviral agents, as well as vaccines and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections. In addition, counseling and testing may help some people prevent HIV transmission by limiting their high-risk behavior. 5 A national strategy for routinely offering HIV counseling and testing in hospitals depends in part on knowing the demographic and clinical distribution of HIV infection in the hospital . . .