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Regular HIV testing may be key to preventing the infection's spread

Category: HIV

Studies have shown that when a person with HIV is treated at an early stage, their viral load does not rise. This means that they are less likely to spread their infection to other people. However, due to the fact that many people who have the disease have not sought HIV testing and are unaware of their infection, they are not receiving this treatment.

This is one of the greatest barriers standing in the way of eradication of the disease, wrote a team of scientists in a recent article published in the Journal of the International AIDS Society.

They said that if everyone with the disease was immediately given HIV testing and subsequently started on antiretroviral therapy, the disease would eventually disappear completely. However, the stigma attached to getting screened and the difficulties that some people have with accessing treatment means that this is currently not a reality.

Eliminating these factors that prevent people from accessing treatments early could be a key factor in controlling the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that frequent HIV testing is one of the best ways to prevent it from spreading.