Clinical Preventive Services -
Screening - Infectious Diseases -

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations:

Clinicians should assess risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by obtaining a careful sexual history and inquiring about injection drug use in all patients. Periodic screening for infection with HIV is recommended for all persons at increased risk of infection (see Clinical Intervention). Screening is recommended for all pregnant women at risk for HIV infection, including all women who live in states, counties, or cities with an increased prevalence of HIV infection. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against universal screening among low-risk pregnant women in low-prevalence areas, but recommendations to counsel and offer screening to all pregnant women may be made on other grounds (see Clinical Intervention). Screening infants born to high-risk mothers is recommended if the mother's antibody status is not known. All patients should be counseled about effective means to avoid HIV infection (see Counseling to Prevent HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases).

• To refer to the Clinical Interventions or view the complete entry for this topic, see the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Second Edition (1996).