Guides › Introduction to combination therapy

Early diagnosis and primary infection

If you are recently diagnosed you may find out whether you are likely to have been infected in the previous six months.

This is from a second HIV test called STARHS or RITA (or sometimes an ‘avidity’ test).

Knowing when you were infected can help you know how quickly HIV progresses.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has recommended this test for all diagnoses since 2011.

These results are only a guide though.

UK guidelines only recommend treatment in primary infection in a few circumstances.

When there are serious HIV or AIDS-related symptoms.
If CD4 is confirmed less than 350.
To reduce the risk of transmission.
As part of a research study.

If you are interested in a trial and you live in the UK, contact i-Base in case we know of new studies that may be available.

April 2012

Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.

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