Comprehensive sexual health tests needed, not just HIV screenings: Aussie doctors warn

Australian doctors have warned patients not to have a new rapid test for HIV in isolation, asking patients to have a comprehensive sexual health check-up amid ongoing declines.

Since the 20-minute HIV test was made available, the HIV foundation has saw a record 1,114 tests conducted in Queensland in the first three months of 2015.

However, Dr Ryan Williams of Clinic 30, run by the Queensland AIDS Council (QAC), is warning the rapid test should be backed up with a full blood test and says more work needs to be done to increase screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , Australia's national broadcaster reported on Friday.

"It's better than nothing and it's great that they are getting tested for something," Williams said. "But it's probably not in their best interests to only know about the one disease when they probably should have a full test that checks them for all the illnesses they could be exposed to.

"HIV has the greatest morbidity or burden on the health of the individual, but you can also catch other STDs."

Lobby and advocacy groups have been calling for Australia's government to not only increase the access of HIV testing, but also offer more comprehensive services.

"It's really important to do comprehensive sexual health work, because we focus a lot on HIV but in terms of HIV transmission it' s also important to be aware of other STIs," Rob Lake from the Australian Federation of Aids Organizations said. Endi