Private MD News

Sharp increase in HIV testing for TB patients

Category: HIV

A new report from the World Health Organization has found a significant rise in people getting tested for STDs who are also being treated for tuberculosis.

The rise may be attributed to the fact that one out of four TB deaths is HIV-related, which was reportedly twice as many as were previously stated, according to the WHO's 2009 global TB control report.

"These findings point to an urgent need to find, prevent and treat TB in people living with HIV and to test for HIV in all patients with TB in order to provide prevention, treatment and care," said Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO.

TB patients who opt to get a lab test or order a lab test online have been able to get life-lengthening treatment for both conditions.
Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS (a joint United Nations program on HIV), said universal access to "HIV prevention, treatment, care and support must include TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment."

"When HIV and TB services are combined, they save lives," Sidibe said.
Last week, it was reported there was an increase in HIV patients in the Washington DC area, which has also led to more people getting blood tests.