A 34-year-old male sees you because he was recently informed that a partner he had unprotected sex with last month has been diagnosed with HIV. You would advise this patient to initiate ongoing antiretroviral therapy
A) immediately, because HIV testing is not necessary prior to initiation
B) at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection
C) when his CD4 cell count drops to < 200 cells/ μL
D) when his CD4 cell count drops to <500 cells/μ L
E) when he develops an AIDS-defining illness
ANSWER: B
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be prescribed at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection unless the patient has expressed a desire to not initiate treatment.
ART should not be delayed until the CD4 cell count drops to a predetermined level or until an AIDS-defining illness occurs.
It is recommended to initiate prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia when the CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells/μ L. when he develops an AIDS-defining illness.