Background: Objectification of the seroprevalence of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among patients consulting in a hospital emergency ward of an urban area is presented. Detection of unknown carriers of HIV is also reported as well as an evaluation of the reasons for consultation by these patients in emergency wards.
Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the emergency ward of internal medicine with the random selection of 500 patients. In each case the following were evaluated: previous epidemiology of HIV, reason for consultation and clinical suspicion of HIV infection. The determination of HIV antibodies was carried out in all patients by ELISA with a further ELISA and Western blot being performed for seropositivity.
Results: 8.4% of the patients included were previously known carriers of HIV. In addition, 1.1% presented positive serology vs previously unknown HIV. The most frequent reason for consultation was a febrile syndrome followed by digestive and respiratory symptomatology.
Conclusions: There is a high seroprevalence of HIV carriers among patients consulting in emergency wards with an unnegligible percentage of unknown carriers. The profile of previously unknown HIV carriers is that of male between 25-35 years of age consulting for a febrile syndrome of no apparent focus who pertains or has previously pertained to a risk group.