Routine HIV screening for adolescents
6/13/2024 by Ben Hamel, M.D.
Although there has been much progress over the past few decades to combat the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, epidemic, there continue to be more than 30,000 new HIV diagnoses in the United States annually. People aged 13 to 24 make up almost 20% of the new diagnoses. Unfortunately, adolescents often do not believe they are at risk for HIV infection. A recent survey of high school students found that only 13% reported ever having been tested for HIV. It is also estimated that HIV is undiagnosed in 45% of 13- to 24-year-old patients.
Who should be screened for HIV?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that routine HIV screening should be done at least once for all youth 15 years or older.
Who is at higher risk and may need to be screened more frequently?
Higher-risk individuals who may need more frequent screening include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and active injection drug users.
What are the consent/confidentiality laws in Minnesota?
Parental consent for sexual and reproductive health is a barrier to seeking and obtaining care. In the state of Minnesota, minors (under the age of 18 years) may consent to the testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections including HIV without parental consent.
What is PrEP?
Those who are at higher risk should consider asking their physician about HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which are antiretroviral medications that are either taken orally daily or injections every couple of months. HIV PrEP is effective in preventing HIV when used as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy that also includes adherence to daily administration and safe sex practices (such as barrier protection).
Benjamin Hamel, M.D., is a resident in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He will be continuing his education with an allergy/immunology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center starting in July 2024. Some of his interests include food allergies, immunological diseases, evidence-based medicine and care of LGBTQIA+ patients.