DETECTION AND TREATMENT

India’s policy on HIV testing

Voluntary, Informed, Confidential and Free HIV testing

Mandatory HIV testing of Blood and blood products and organ donation

HIV positive test result is given to an individual only if the person’s blood test positive on three separate HIV tests.

Test results are always disclosed with post-test counseling irrespective of test result

HIV testing can be availed free of cost at ICTC centers

Window Period

Voluntary Counseling

An individual undergoes counselling enabling him or her to make an informed choice about being tested for HIV

It is the individual’s choice based on the appropriate information and support provided by the Counsellor.

The Counsellor keeps all the information confidential.

All efforts must be made to counsel the person for voluntary disclosure of HIV status to the spouse or sexual partner

Counselling process

Pre-Test Counselling

• Done before HIV test.

• The counsellor prepares the client for the test corrects myths and misinformation

• An informed consent is required

Post-Test Counselling

• Offered irrespective of test results

• For clients to understand their test results and initiate adaptation to their status

ELISA plate

Controls

Positive

Negative

result

Know the Stage of HIV and CD4 Count

The diagnosis of AIDS is made based on the occurrence of opportunistic infections or a CD4 count less than 200

It is possible to improve the stage of HIV by reducing the amount of HIV in the body This is done best by ART

Counsellors need to advise their clients to get their CD4 test every 6 months

If PLHAs properly monitor Stage of HIV and CD4 count, they can stay healthy and love positively for a long time

Control of AIDS

Preventiona. Educationb. Prevention of Blood borne-HIV

transmission

Antiretroviral Treatment

ARV’s WORK BYINHIBITING HIV ENZYMES

Starting ART

Before beginning ART treatment, counsellors should make their clients understand that: Medicines must be taken for the rest of their lives Non-adherence may result in further illness Medicines should not be shared with others Disclosure may aid in treatment adherence Regular appointments with the doctor must be

maintained

Continuing to Work, Save, & Use Money Wisely

Working and earning help clients continue to live a satisfying life

If the client is healthy, the counsellor may encourage them to continue working and being productive

Counsellors should advise clients to save some of their monthly income to pay for treatment pay for care and education of their children

Plan for the Family

Counsellors need to discuss the importance of family planning for couples Contraception Preventing Parent to Child Transmission (if a

female client is pregnant) Options for Having children are a personal

issue for the mother/couple. A counsellor should talk through all the pros and

cons and options and allow the client to make a well informed, personal decision.