Which patient group can be prioritized for early HIV testing?

Prioritizing early HIV testing is essential in populations at higher risk for infection. Those with a history of injection drug use are at a significantly increased risk of contracting HIV due to the shared use of needles, which can lead to exposure to infected blood. This history indicates a need for prompt testing, as early detection can improve health outcomes and reduce transmission rates.

While other groups, such as pregnant women in their first trimester, also have specific guidelines for testing, the urgency for individuals with a history of injection drug use is particularly high due to the ongoing risk of exposure and the potential for rapid disease progression if left untreated. In contrast, the other options, such as 12-year-olds and patients over 65, generally do not represent as high a risk unless there are additional risk factors present.