HIV testing in the UK.

摘要

We agree with The Lancet that a "purposeful policy of HIV testing is needed" and that it is a matter of deep concern that so many individuals in the UK are unaware that they are HIV-infected-an estimated 21000 at the end of 2007. We disagree with you, however, over whether all men and women aged 15-59 years should be tested. At present, prevalence is highly variable across the country. In most primary-care trusts in England, the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection in adults in this age-group is likely to be much less than the one in 1000 level at which HIV testing in industrialised countries is judged to be cost effective