OPINION. One objection against the use of ARV treatment for HIV prevention is that it puts people on treatment whilst they may clinically not need it. My first reaction to that is to ask when is it clinically relevant to treat an HIV infected person? So far the various guidelines produced are clear and based on the CD4 count. But the guidelines have changed during the years and the goalpost has been moved from below 200 to below 350 and soon to below 500 and is reaching the mean Cd4 …

In developed countries, HIV is now a treatable medical condition and the majority of those living with the virus and on treatment remain fit and well. However a significant number of people in the United Kingdom are unaware of their HIV infection and remain at risk of being infected and of passing their virus to others. Late diagnosis is the most important factor associated with HIV-related morbidity and mortality in the UK.
It is in this context that the British HIV Association has issued new guidelines for HIV testing recommending that …