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It has been almost 20 years since the first report about a disease that we now call AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Shortly thereafter, serological testing to detect evidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was developed, and guidelines were published for HIV counseling and testing. Today, the majority of HIV testing is performed in a broad range of medical care settings and not at publicly funded testing sites.¹

With the availability of more effective therapies, HIV testing has become even more important in preventive intervention. The major benefits of HIV testing are (1) the referral of HIV-seropositive persons for medical evaluation and treatment and other social services and (2) counseling to promote the necessary changes in behavior to reduce HIV transmission. Physicians play an essential role in this public health effort: as the principal providers of primary health care, the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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