- Learning about medical tests
- Bilirubin
- Blood count
- Blood gases
- Bone marrow
- Brain scan
- Bronchoscopy
- CD4 cell count
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Creatinine clearance
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
- Endoscopy
- Genotypic resistance tests
- Karnofsky score
- Lactate
- Lipid test
- Liver function
- Lumbar puncture
- Lung function tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nerve conduction tests
- Neuro-cognitive tests
- Papanicolaou (Pap) smear
- Phenotypic resistance tests
- Purified protein derivative (PPD) skin tests
- Serology
- Sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy
- Specimen culture
- Sputum tests
- Viral load
- X-ray & ultrasound
Learning about medical tests
In resource-rich settings, medical tests and procedures are integral parts of the monitoring of HIV disease and of the investigation and treatment of symptoms. Before any test is carried out, it is important to know the reason for the test, what it involves (description) and how the result will help. It is part of good medical practice for doctors to ensure that this information is discussed and that patients understand and agree to the procedures. The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, but details some of the medical tests and procedures that are commonly carried out with people with HIV and AIDS in the UK.
In the final section of this chapter we look at the World Health Organization's (WHO's)recommendations for medical monitoring in resource-limited settings.
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