HIV Testing in VA

• VA recommends that all Veterans be tested for HIV infection at least once, regardless of risk factors for HIV infection, and that they be tested repeatedly if there is an ongoing risk of HIV infection.
• VA no longer requires informed consent to be documented in the medical record. VA does not require that patients be given either scripted pre-test and post-test counseling or written educational material on HIV. More information, including FAQs.

Guidelines

• Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of HIV Infection: Updated Recommendations.
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Association of Public Health Laboratories; June 2014
  • 2018 Quick Reference Guide: Recommended Laboratory HIV Testing Algorithm for Serum or Plasma Specimens; January 2018
  • Technical Update: Use of the Determine HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo Test with Serum or Plasma in the Laboratory Algorithm for HIV Diagnosis; October 2017
  • Technical Update on HIV-1/2 Differentiation Assays; August 2016
• CDC's Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; MMWR 2006, 55 (No. RR-14): 1-18
• HIV Testing Implementation Guidance for Correctional Settings
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 2009
• Complete List of Donor Screening Assays for Infectious Agents and HIV Diagnostic Assays
  U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Handouts

• Delivering HIV Test Results
  Tips for providers delivering positive and negative test results.
• HIV Testing Fact Sheet for Providers
  
• Patient's Guide to HIV Testing
  
• HIV: Just Diagnosed Patient Fact Sheet
  
• Rapid Oral HIV Test: Patient Fact Sheet
  

Educational Videos

• One Step Ahead
  Veterans and VA providers explain why it's important to make HIV testing part of routine medical care.
• Live HIV+
  Veterans with HIV share their stories and offer helpful steps to take after getting a positive diagnosis.

Journal Articles

• Selected Journal Articles on HIV Testing