Fighting the Rise of STI Rates with Rapid Testing and Early Detection

Exploring Algorithms, Testing Guidelines, and Options

HIV and syphilis infections are a growing concern in the U.S. and around the world. Roughly one in eight or 13% of HIV-positive persons are unaware of their infections and may account for nearly 40% of new HIV transmissions in the U.S. Patients who are HIV-negative but diagnosed with syphilis are more likely to contract HIV in the future, which supports the benefits of testing for both infections at the same time.

As serious sexually transmitted infections (STI), either HIV or syphilis alone can have devastating consequences. For those who are HIV-negative, having syphilis can make it easier to contract HIV. Identifying these infections accurately and rapidly is integral to preventing transmission, a subject which is personal and private for patients and therefore daunting for clinical staff.

Clinicians rely on clinical labs to provide sensitive, accurate, and rapid diagnostic testing that helps them make effective treatment decisions. This webinar will explore testing guidelines and algorithms for detecting HIV and syphilis, along with newly CLIA-waived testing options for HIV and syphilis that help expedite diagnoses and patient care.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will help you:

• Review the most current U.S. HIV and syphilis surveillance data
• Explain the current testing guidelines for HIV and syphilis
• Summarize HIV and syphilis testing methods and algorithms
• Describe the importance of dual testing for HIV and syphilis and the benefits of rapid testing

Watch on Demand       Download Slides (PDF, 2MB)

Fisher Healthcare is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.™ Program. One P.A.C.E.™ credit-hour will be provided for this complimentary basic level program.

Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD

Dr. Matthew Hamill is interested in all aspects of STIs and HIV. This includes prevention, treatment, and retention in care. His research focuses on rapid, point-of-care diagnostics for STIs in low-income settings, and he provides patient-focused treatment for those with or at risk of STIs and HIV. Dr. Hamill is affiliated with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.