skip to main content

HIV Diagnosis — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardHIV MedicineHIV DiagnosisSCE Infectious Diseases

An antenatal fourth-generation HIV screening test is reactive in an asymptomatic patient. Which step is essential before the diagnosis is finalised?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Test a freshly collected second specimen through the confirmatory HIV algorithm

The best answer is “Test a freshly collected second specimen through the confirmatory HIV algorithm”. A second independently collected sample confirms identity and excludes clerical or sample error while the laboratory differentiation and nucleic-acid algorithm resolves true infection. BHIVA guidance governs investigation and treatment of HIV-associated disease and supports standard specialist care when HIV is virologically controlled.

Reference: BHIVA clinical guidelines: https://bhiva.org/clinical-guidelines/