Vietnam is committed to reaching 95% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status by 2030. That means there are still many people living with HIV who do not know they are infected, and are capable of transmitting it to others. . Therefore, it is necessary to test for HIV periodically while risk behaviors are still present, especially for groups at high risk of infection.
Diagnosing HIV quickly and linking people to treatment immediately are crucial to achieving further reduction in new HIV infections.
HIV screening providers are the front line for detecting and preventing the spread of HIV. Each person should:
- Conduct routine HIV screening at least once.
- Conduct more frequent screenings if you at greater risk for HIV.
- Enroll in HIV treatment, care if you are positive.
Persons likely to be at high risk include: PWID and their sex partners, persons who exchange sex for money, sex partners of persons with HIV infection, men who have sex with men or heterosexual persons who themselves or whose sex partners have had more than one sex partner since their most recent HIV test.
Benefits of Early HIV Diagnosis
People with HIV who are aware of their status should be prescribed ART and, by achieving and maintaining an undetectable (<200 copies/mL) viral load, can remain healthy for many years.
ART is now recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of CD4 count. Studies show that the sooner people start treatment after diagnosis, the more they benefit from ART. Early diagnosis followed by ART initiation will reduces HIV-associated morbidity and mortality, greatly decreases HIV transmission to others, may reduce risk of serious non-AIDS‒related diseases.
How Often Should be Screened?
Individuals from the ages of 16 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care and that those with risk factors get tested more frequently. People who may be at high risk for HIV should be screened at least annually:
- PWID and their sex partners
- People who exchange sex for money or drugs
- Sex partners of people with HIV
- Sexually active MSM (more frequent testing may be beneficial; e.g., every 3‒6 months)
- Heterosexuals who themselves or whose sex partners have had ≥1 sex partner since their most recent HIV test
- People receiving treatment for hepatitis, tuberculosis, or a sexually transmitted disease