title: Diagnosis of acute HIV infection in Connecticut.
abstract: Acute HIV infection (AHI) is the earliest stage of HIV disease, when plasma HIV viremia, but not HIV antibodies, can be detected. Acute HIV infection often presents as a nonspecific viral syndrome. However, its diagnosis, which enables linkage to early medical care and limits further HIV transmission, is seldom made. We describe the experience of Yale's Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS with AHI diagnosis in Connecticut, as a participating center in the National Institute of Mental Health Multisite AHI Study. We sought to identify AHI cases by clinical referrals and by screening for AHI at two substance abuse care facilities and an STD clinic. We identified one case by referral and one through screening of 590 persons. Screening for AHI is feasible and probably cost effective. Primary care providers should include AHI in the differential diagnosis when patients present with a nonspecific viral syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dubrow
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sikkema
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: R Douglas
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Julian
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beckwith
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roome
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boeving
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kidder
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobson
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Merson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult