Doctors Miss Early HIV Symptoms

BBC (originally posted 07.22.08)

Almost half of all early-stage HIV infections in the United Kingdom are being missed, the National AIDS Trust (NAT) said recently. Approximately 7,000 new HIV cases occur annually in Britain, and as many as 50 percent are believed to be transmitted by people who are in the early stages of their own infection.

The first few weeks of infection are often marked by severe flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and rashes. After about six weeks, these symptoms typically recede and the infected person will feel normal again, even though he or she has HIV. People seeking medical treatment for these symptoms are often told they have a trivial viral infection and to return if they see no improvement, said NAT.

A study in Brighton found that 48 percent of HIV patients who had sought medical attention for their early symptoms were not diagnosed with HIV during that appointment.

"It is very worrying that [general practitioners] and other health care professionals are often missing the signs and symptoms of HIV infection," said NAT CEO Deborah Jack. "This can mean they become seriously ill in the longer term and respond less well to treatment. It also means they are likely to be putting partners at risk of infection as they may live undiagnosed for a number of years."

"HIV testing needs to be more widespread and routine," said Dr. Martin Fisher, a consultant in HIV medicine. The symptoms that accompany early infection represent a "golden opportunity" to spot new cases, he said.