CE/CME

HIV Infection: What Primary Care Providers Need to Know

Author and Disclosure Information

 

References

WHEN TO REFER
Expert assistance with initiation and management of HIV care is always helpful, but primary care clinicians can provide the majority of care. Obtain expert consultation when

• Initial resistance testing shows resistance to NRTI backbone medication(s) listed as preferred initial options

• There is a significant comorbidity, especially one that involves medications that may interact with an HIV regimen

• Hepatitis B or C is present

• Pregnancy is present or planned

• HIV is not controlled by the initial regimen or a regimen fails.

CONCLUSION
HIV is now viewed as a chronic, manageable disease. As improved screening continues to identify an increasing proportion of HIV-positive patients, improving therapies keep these patients alive and well. As access to care continues to improve, primary care clinicians will provide more of the care of HIV patients. Some patients will require consultation with an HIV specialist, but primary care clinicians must build a strong foundation of knowledge regarding the treatment of HIV and remain current as progress in the field continues.

Pages

Recommended Reading

Potential ‘Functional Cure’ for AIDS?
Clinician Reviews
Do Antibiotics Contribute to Pediatric C difficile Infection Rate?
Clinician Reviews
FDA Panel Backs Cobas HPV Test as Primary Screening Tool
Clinician Reviews
HIV and HCV Coninfected Have Higher Hepatic Decompensation Rates
Clinician Reviews
First Estimates of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Children
Clinician Reviews
Heartland Virus Cases Could Resume in May
Clinician Reviews
The Prevalence of Device-associated Infections
Clinician Reviews
Trivalent Flu Vaccine Effective Before Age 2 Years
Clinician Reviews
Federal Government Releases Updated Viral Hepatitis Action Plan
Clinician Reviews
Vaccines Prevent Millions of Illnesses, but Measles Makes a Return
Clinician Reviews