New testing strategy for HIV

Researchers are constantly searching for more effective ways to detect HIV, in a effort to inform individuals of their status as quickly as possible. A recent study has found that testing for this disease when flu-like symptoms develop may be a lower cost alternative for early detection in men who have sex with men (MSM) than current screenings.

"Use of HIV viral load testing in MSM with influenza-like illness prevents more infections than does annual antibody screening alone and is cost-effective," said Jessie L. Juusola, M.S., of Stanford University, lead author of the study.

This population is recommended to eceive testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at least once a year, but research has shown that only two thirds do so. Researchers have suggested alternative strategies, such as a combination approach including both antibody and viral load testing, as a more cost effective way to test MSM.

Scientists also want to expand antibody testing, and to work to get at least 90 percent of these men tested each year. Study authors estimated that this could lower the number of new HIV infections that are diagnosed among this population each year by 2.8 percent.