HIV Screening: A Review of Nationally Recommended Guidelines and Specific Instances in which HIV Screening is Often Overlooked

inTroDucTion According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are currently living without knowledge of their diagnosis. In 2006, the cost of a rapid HIV test with pre/post-test HIV counseling was anywhere between 48-64 US dollars (USD). The majority of the cost incurred was for HIV counseling, with the cost of the rapid HIV test being between 8-25 USD. Research looking at the cost-effectiveness of HIV screening shows that it is more cost-effective than routine screening for breast cancer with mammography yearly or even routine screening for diabetes mellitus with a one-time fasting blood glucose. With the cost of testing reasonably low and prevalence of undiagnosed infection high, why are our rates of HIV screening not maximized?