Costs of HIV Misdiagnoses: The Case for Retesting

Costs of HIV Misdiagnoses: The Case for Retesting

CDC Study on Reducing HIV Misdiagnoses The World Health Organization urges immediate initiation of HIV treatment for all persons who receive a HIV-positive diagnosis. Globally, studies report that HIV misdiagnoses rates range from less than 1 percent to more than 10 percent, with significant social and financial costs for such misdiagnoses. A recent CDC study published in the PLOS One journal suggests that a second test to verify the initial diagnosis can eliminate or reduce HIV misdiagnoses and prevent unnecessary initiation of treatment. The modelling study estimates about 240,000 positive misdiagnoses may occur in Africa over 10 years, in the absence of retesting. Read more >>