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Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology | Volume 3

allied

academies

November 21-22, 2019 | Singapore

Global Experts Meeting on

International Conference on

STD-AIDS and

Infectious Diseases

Allergy, Immunology

and Rheumatology

Joint Event

J Infectious Disease Med Microbiol, Volume 3

Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS and STD: Primary care perspective

Abdul Hafiz Mohamad Gani

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

rimary care physicians play an essential role in the

screening and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STD. Diagnoses

of HIV and STD in primary care can be challenging. Sexual

history should be a part of history taking to identify those

at risk so the doctor may advise appropriate screening. The

environment of clinic may affect the attendance of clients to

come for screening. Stigma and discrimination in HIV/AIDS

are some of the main issues among the key population, and

appropriate strategy is needed to overcome the barrier. STD

clinic with friendly setting may facilitate the clients to come

and use the service. Information technology such as internet

and mobile apps can be used to educate and encourage the

community to get tested. The self-testing method in HIV and

STD is one option that comes with its pros and cons. Point

of care test (POCT) is essential in primary care setting and

offers a reliable, low cost and allow diagnosis and treatment

in a single visit. POCT CD4 and viral load (VL) are helpful in

test and treat strategy and cost sufficient for patients living

in remote areas. In some situation, the role of advance test

in HIV and STD are needed to confirm patient’s diagnosis.

Therefore, a link between the laboratory facilities in primary

care and hospital is needed in the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and

STD. Nucleic-acid amplification tests, also known as NAATs,

are used to identify small amounts of DNA or RNA offer

promising results in STD with high sensitivity and specificity.

However, the cost is disadvantage and may not be affordable

in some middle- and most low-income countries. In this

situation, syndromic approach (SA) or modified syndromic

approach (MSA) is relevant in clinical diagnosis of STD.