Spanish doctors launch proactive HIV testing drive
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
In a bid to improve early detection of HIV, Spain's family and community medicine society (SEMFYC) will this week launch a guide for general practitioners and nurses in the primary care setting. Questions and answers for HIV detection in primary care offers pointers for subsequent diagnostic testing. The campaign aims primarily to address the high incidence of HIV cases that are being missed (when the infection is still asymptomatic), particularly in high-risk cases. The most vulnerable patient groups are adolescents, pregnant women, immigrants and couples in which only one member is HIV-positive. "Doctors think they need to be more proactive in the early detection of HIV infection," says SEMFYC. The campaign, which will be launched at SEMFYC's Madrid headquarters, on November 30, is backed by national AIDS plan director Maria del Val Rodrigalvez.