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Key points

  • One in five people living with HIV are unaware of their infection.
  • Half of all diagnoses are made ‘late’; in other words, when HIV treatment should already have been started. Rates of late diagnosis are especially high in black African men.
  • Undiagnosed infection has significant implications for public health, as individuals may have very high HIV viral load, increasing the risk of onward HIV transmission.
  • Individuals with undiagnosed HIV also risk severe immunosuppression, serious illness and reduced life expectancy, as well as greater costs to health services.
  • Improvements in HIV testing practices are required in order to reduce undiagnosed infection and late diagnosis.

Undiagnosed HIV infection

Published November 2013

Last reviewed November 2013

Next review November 2016

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.