Matching the Right HIV Test to the Right Population: When Are Rapid Tests Not Good Enough?

Clinicians and public health programs that test patients for HIV infection can utilize different HIV tests, including several different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), rapid point-of-care tests, and HIV RNA tests.  Each type of test has advantages and disadvantages, and the best test or combination of tests to use in a particular population or testing setting varies.  This talk will review the operating characteristics of different HIV tests and discuss when each test is most appropriately used.