Late Presentations: Challenges when an Individual is Diagnosed Hiv-Positive at an Advanced Stage

Introduction Having worked in an HIV inpatient unit since 1995 (so, the pre-HAART era), it is striking that there are still acutely ill patients being diagnosed with HIV at an advanced stage, often with CD4 cell counts in single figures. This article reflects on why this is still the case, who these patients tend to be, and the issues and challenges that they--and the nursing team--face.