Patients 'should be tested for HIV'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Dr Kaveh Manavi, a consultant in HIV medicine at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital, said the current system misses many people as it only targets high-risk groups, such as gay men and drug users.

Dr Manavi told BBC Radio Five Live: "Target-based HIV tests offering the test to intravenous drug users and gay men is not going to work because individuals may not identify themselves as a risk.

"All the current data suggests a large proportion of patients, in the UK at least, are heterosexual, so we will miss a proportion of HIV-infected patients."

Dr Manavi wants screening to be expanded so more patients are diagnosed early, giving them the opportunity for better treatment and the chance to change their behaviour to reduce the risk of infecting others.

He added: "The sooner an individual is diagnosed with HIV, the higher their likelihood of a better prognosis."

Routine screening is already carried out on pregnant women to minimise the risk of passing on the virus to their babies.