HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TESTING AND COUNSELING - NUTS AND BOLTS

The human immunodeficiency virus poses an increasing health hazard to women. Physicians must recognize this risk and evaluate their patients for human immunodeficiency virus. Because of general increased awaren ess and the recommendations that all prenatal patients be offered huma n immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling, more and more women w ill be tested, yet counseling has not become a routine aspect in the e valuation of patients. This article reviews the key components of huma n immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling, including test interp retation, risk assessment, risk reduction, and pretest and posttest co unseling. Familiarity with these areas should enable the practitioner to feel comfortable in providing this service.