If you were feeling generally unwell and saw your GP would you accept an HIV test as part of a general screen?

[PennySillin]

I'm completing a sexual health module at uni and need to write an essay about HIV screening in primary care. I'm thinking the one of the biggest barrier to screening is the clinician offering it in the first place! Would you accept an HIV test as part of a general screen or would you opt out? Thanks

Why would people be offended? It's routinely checked for during pregnancy?

I would opt in, but then I'm a health professional and it doesn't scare me as such...

As a little bit of side info, I work in Occupational Health and used to routinely offer HIV screening to all staff who attended for vaccinations if they weren't already required to be screened for their job role. Mostly well received, requires a lot of thoughtful discussion and a specific consenting procedure that I'm not so sure a GP would have time to do in their current 10 minutes per appointment schedule.... if the person then had to come back for an appointment with the nurse to be consented for the bloods etc, then that could be a labourious hurdle, that may put people off as well. Just my two pence worth

Yes. I was screened in all 3 pregnancies for HIV

I'd have no problem accepting, would be more acceptable if it was part of a general screen rather than only for at risk groups, normalise it a bit.

I personally wouldn't have an HIV test as part of routine screening because I'm haven't had "risky" sex with anyone for a long time.

I think it's very much the manner in which it's offered that counts. There's very much a stigma around HIV and I think being offered it will rile some people as they'll think there's an implication that they're promiscuous, irresponsible or gay (which to some men is still a stigma).

Having said that I think offering any STI-test as part of routine screening would elicit the same response though there does seem to be more of an issue with HIV.

Definitely would accept (and have done so in pregnancy). I think it's a great idea and removes the stigma from being tested and may catch positive patients who don't routinely visit a GUM clinic.

Although tbh I'd jump at a general screening anyway, our GP virtually has to be begged to do any sort of test.

Yes.
I was asked I hospital last year and had it.

Thanks for the feedback.

It is offered routinely in pregnancy but it's not always thought about in primary care. Orangesix counselling is no longer required in an attempt to make in more of a routine test and GPs rarely actually take the blood within the consultation so I don't think that should be an issue.

I was screened in my pregnancies too, found it oddly reassuring despite having always been careful.
I don't mind what tests are run on my blood tbh, the more the merrier!

I don't think it's an issue anymore , when HIV was first 'discovered' people were very scared of being tested because there were rumours that you would have to declare it when trying to get insurance etc but it's just a routine blood test now .

I accepted the test in pregnancy. I don't see why I would have an issue if I was offered it as part of a course of tests when not pregnant. If I had it, I would want to know so I could start treatment/inform the people I have shared bodily fluids with.

I'd say the biggest barrier is probably people's outdated attitude towards HIV. I've worked with a couple of people who had it and one of them in particular stands out because when I first met him, it was through going around to do a home visit. I had quite a lot of paperwork to do with him, it was winter and cold outside. He offered me a cup of tea and I said yes. The look on his face said more than a thousand words could have. Apparently most people disinfected stuff around him just in case.

The more we offer the rest, the more "normal" it'll be, reducing the stigma.

It's offered commonly in hospitals, especially in young people with nasty infections. It's approached as "we offer this to everyone" and no sexual history questions.

Yes ( work in primary care 😂). What you are screening for , if found early is a chronic long term condition probably less life changing / threatening than type 2 diabetes.

The push in Gp land is for it to every routine and almost divorce it from the " risky sex" side because actually it could've any sexual encounter.

Helen When I said "risky" sex, I meant sex with anyone but DH

I wouldn't have a problem with it. They screen you for stds and other stuff for pregnancy so I don't see the difference. Then again, I wouldn't be expecting anything other than 'Normal' results

I've been treated 3 times - 2x pregnancy testing as routine, plus prior to that when I had permanently swollen glands (that turned out to be salivary glands so was rather unnecessary!).

I have been screened for HIV during pregnancy. I had no problem with it. Huggy, you may have been only having sex with your DH, but from a medical POV you have no way of proving it, nor can you prove that he has only had sex with you. Sad, but it does happen.