The new face of HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes a treatable chronic condition that has no discernible impact on life expectancy when diagnosed and treated early. Screening and antiretroviral use in men who have sex with men has caused a decline in prevalence for this group in Western countries whereas the frequency of late diagnoses in white heterosexual adults has remained stable. These days no one should die from HIV, but late diagnoses are costing hundreds of lives in the UK every year – these are often people who do not consider themselves to be at risk of HIV. This article provides an update on our current understanding of HIV, to help GPs know when to offer HIV testing and support the thousands of patients living with HIV.