HIV Rapid Testing
Rapid Testing, Rapid Results
In settings where HIV testing and counseling (HTC) is provided, HIV rapid tests have been shown to offer added value to programs by providing clients with immediate HIV status results that can inform decision making for clinical, prevention, care and support, and other services. Using an appropriate testing algorithm, most individuals can be accurately diagnosed using rapid tests. Because the tests do not require complex procedures, they can be performed by a range of staff, making rapid tests ideal for use in low-resource settings and community-based initiatives where barriers can prevent clients from receiving their results. Rapid test technology allows for HTC to be more readily accessible with faster results and helps ensure that those who are tested receive their results. However, despite benefits of utilizing HIV rapid testing at the point-of-care, implementation barriers remain.
In April 2011, AIDSTAR-One organized a technical consultation to present and review the use of HIV rapid tests. Related resources from this consultation focus on program successes, challenges, and barriers.
Rapid Testing, Rapid Results Technical Consultation in Thailand
WHO Resources
| Article/Report Title | Year | Source | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
 Guidance on Testing and Counselling for HIV in Settings Attended by People Who Inject Drugs: Improving Access to Treatment, Care and Prevention (PDF, 1.74 MB) |
2009 | World Health Organization | This documents provides operational guidance on HIV testing and counseling in settings attended by people who inject drugs. It is intended for policy makers, HIV program planners, care providers, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society groups. |
| Scaling Up HIV Testing and Counselling in Asia and the Pacific: Report of a Technical Consultation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 4-6 June 2007 (PDF, 1.63 MB) |
2007 | World Health Organization | This report covers the HIV testing and counseling technical consultation held in Cambodia whose focus areas included: scale up of HIV testing and counseling services, core public health approaches, ethical principles and human rights, and agreement on key actions at regional and country levels. |
| A Handbook for Improving HIV Testing and Counselling Services: Field-test version (PDF, 3.78 MB) |
2010 | World Health Organization | This handbook provides suggestions for improvement of HIV testing and counseling services, from HIV testing to prevention, treatment and care services. It targets public health systems that deliver HIV services, nongovernmental organizations, HIV testing and counseling program managers and providers. |
| HIV testing in the WHO Western Pacific Region (PDF, 646 KB) |
2009 | World Health Organization | This report covers a technical meeting convened in Vietnam in July 2008 to review current practices in HIV testing in the Western Pacific Region and discuss the scale up of HIV testing, especially rapid test, and to identify appropriate testing algorithms. |
| Guidance on Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counselling in Health Facilities (PDF, 2.65 MB) |
2007 | World Health Organization | This document provides operational guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in health facilities, and it is intended for a wide audience. |
| Quality Assurance in HIV Testing: Report of a Regional Workshop Pune, India, 24-28 November 2003 (PDF, 47 KB) |
2004 | World Health Organization | This report discusses a regional workshop in India, which was convened to review the status of quality assurance and to strengthen the quality of HIV testing of the South East Asia Region. |
| Joint WHO/UNICEF/UNAIDS Technical Consultation on Scaling Up HIV Testing and Counselling in Asia and the Pacific: Phnom Penh, Cambodia 4-6 June 2007, Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF, 99 KB) |
2007 | World Health Organization | This brief report discusses conclusions and recommendations from the technical consultation in Cambodia on HIV testing and counseling policies and practices in different settings and contexts in Asia and the Pacific. |
| HIV Testing and Counselling in Prisons and other Closed Settings: Technical paper (PDF, 1.32 MB) |
2009 | World Health Organization and United Nations | This paper presents information on scaling up access to HIV testing and counseling for prisoners, following WHO/UNAIDS guidance on PITC. The document targets UN staff at country level, policymakers, prison authorities, health service providers, and other stakeholders about the above issue. |
| Technical Note on Scaling Up HIV Diagnostic Testing in the Western Pacific Region (PDF, 1.3 MB) |
2009 | World Health Organization | This technical note reviews WHO recommendations on scaling up HIV diagnostic testing and provides a brief overview of HIV testing practices. |
| Delivering HIV Test Results and Messages for Re-testing and Counselling in Adults (PDF, 532 KB) |
2010 | World Health Organization | This document provides recommendations on re-testing for HIV. It is directed at HIV policymakers, HTC program managers, site managers, and HTC trainers and providers. |
