Can a physical examination detect AIDS?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
In general, routine physical examinations cannot detect HIV/AIDS. If needed, it is recommended to seek medical testing. The primary purpose of a routine physical exam is to screen for general health status, with a focus on common diseases and physiological indicators, such as complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, liver function, and kidney function. These tests are mainly used to assess basic body functions and identify common chronic diseases.
Generally speaking, HIV cannot be detected through routine physical examinations. If necessary, it is recommended to seek medical testing. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Routine physical examinations primarily aim to assess basic health status, focusing on common diseases and physiological indicators such as complete blood count, urinalysis, liver function, and kidney function. These tests mainly evaluate basic bodily functions and identify common chronic diseases or metabolic disorders, rather than specifically targeting infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. HIV testing requires specialized methods and reagents, such as HIV antibody testing, combined antigen-antibody testing, and viral load testing, which are not included in standard physical examination packages.
HIV testing involves personal privacy and sensitive information. Conducting HIV tests without an individual's consent may infringe upon their right to privacy. Therefore, medical institutions typically do not perform HIV testing without permission, unless the individual specifically requests it or under certain circumstances, such as for specific industries requiring HIV screening during pre-employment examinations, or when public health programs explicitly require HIV screening.
In daily life, it is important to develop good personal hygiene habits, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with others' blood or bodily fluids.
