Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and Recency Testing

This specialized topic addresses two advanced areas of HIV diagnostics: Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and Recency Testing. For tertiary students in paediatrics, public health, and laboratory science, it covers the rationale and algorithm for using Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) to diagnose HIV in exposed infants under 24 months, a critical component of preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Zambia. The module explains the challenges of diagnosis in infants, including the timing of testing and the potential for false-negative results due to ARV prophylaxis. Furthermore, it introduces Rapid Tests for Recent Infection (RTRI), which distinguish recent infections (within the past 12 months) from long-term ones, a vital tool for HIV surveillance and understanding incidence trends. Understanding these sophisticated diagnostic tools is key for Zambian university students aiming to work in paediatric HIV care, national HIV programming, or epidemiological surveillance. This topic enhances exam readiness by covering cutting-edge diagnostic approaches and prepares learners to contribute to Zambia's efforts in eliminating paediatric HIV and monitoring the epidemic's evolution.