Testing and Counseling

This report examined results of a prospective partner series study conducted in North Carolina and of an in depth evaluation of one of the partner networks. The approach for partner services used involved contacting partners of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV infection and using sexual and social networks and molecular phylogenetic data to improve the continuum of HIV care among black men who have sex with men (MSM). Partner services were provided to 30 black HIV infected MSM who named 95 sex partners and social contacts of whom 39 previously had been diagnosed with HIV infection.

This handbook provides information concerning the role of school nurses in the prevention, testing, and medical treatment of students with TB. The handbook is divided into three sections: TB Fundamentals with a particular focus on school-aged children; Applying TB Fundamentals in the school setting, which covers issues related to medication administration, treatment adherence, and directly observed therapy (DOT) in the school setting; and Appendices that include risk assessment guidelines, medication side effects, and templates for record keeping.

This information sheet illustrates CDC’s new recommendations for laboratories to capitalize on the latest available technologies in HIV testing to help diagnose infections as much as 3-4 weeks sooner than the previous testing approach. Early diagnosis is critical since many new infections are transmitted by people in the earliest (“acute”) stage of infection.

This information sheet discusses the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay for diagnosing TB. It explains that the new test is a nucleic acid amplification test that diagnoses TB in less than 2 hours and can also determine resistance to rifampin, one of the drugs used to treat TB. The information sheet describes how the Xpert MTB/RIF assay works, its advantages, how the results should be interpreted, what it means if RIF resistance is detected, not detected, or is indeterminate. Addresses for additional information are provided.

This poster states that it takes two different tests to diagnose hepatitis C. One test is a screening test that indicates whether a person was ever exposed to hepatitis C. The other test is a confirmatory test that indicates if a person currently has hepatitis C.

This information sheet discusses the liver biopsy. It explains a liver biopsy; the risks involved; how a liver biopsy can help, particularly for people with Hepatitis C; how it is done; and what happens after the liver biopsy is done. It also discusses when one should not have a liver biopsy. The information sheet specially emphasizes that a person who takes medicine for hepatitis C might need to have more than one liver biopsy.

Infographic encourages Veterans to learn the facts about hepatitis C, know the risks, and get tested.

This set of 10 different two-sided wallet cards provides useful tips on ways hepatitis patients can take care of their health. Cards include: Ways You Can Get Hepatitis C; Ways You Can't Get Hepatitis C; If You Have Hepatitis C, DO; If You Have Hepatitis C, DON'T; If You Need to Cut Down or Stop/Hepatitis C and Alcohol; Diet and Medication Tips; Exercise Makes a Difference; Tips for Good Sleep; Hepatitis A Virus; and Hepatitis B Virus.

This pamphlet is an easy-to-read reference guide of locations within Baltimore that provide testing for HIV and syphilis. It provides clinic addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and additional references.