Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Reportable by Laboratories and Providers

About this Reportable Disease

Infectious agent: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There are two types of HIV, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 occurs primarily in Africa, and only rarely in the United States; therefore, unless otherwise noted, the term “HIV” primarily refers to HIV-1.

Description of illness: HIV damages a person’s body by destroying specific blood cells, called CD4+ T cells, which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases. People are diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4+ T cell count is below 200 cells/mm. Within a few weeks of being infected with HIV, some people develop flu-like symptoms, but others have no symptoms at all. People living with HIV may appear and feel healthy for several years. However, even if they feel healthy, HIV is still affecting their bodies. All people with HIV should be seen on a regular basis by a health care provider experienced with treating HIV infection. Effective HIV treatment can slow down the destruction of the immune system, improve the health of people living with HIV, and reduce a person’s HIV infectiousness.

Laboratory Reporting for this Disease

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Screen by EIA

TEST NAME	Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screen
DISORDER/DISEASE	Human Immunodeficiency Virus
ALTERNATIVE NAME(S)	HIV
METHODOLOGY	ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo Assay
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS	Testing not approved for patients < 2 years of age Positive HIV screening tests are reflexed to the Geenius HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay for confirmation. HIV-2 antibody confirmation has not been verified with this assay. If HIV-2 results are needed, please contact the laboratory for routing to CDC for confirmation.
ORDERING INFORMATION	Lab Web Portal PTBMIS: Test Order Code: 87389 Test Order Description: HIV EIA SCREEN

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation	Venipuncture
Specimen Collection	Acceptable Specimen Sources/Type(s): - Whole blood in serum separator tube (SST) - Serum in sterile, plastic, screw capped vial
Specimen Labeling	Specimen should be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying test order.
Specimen Processing	Follow the tube manufacture's processing instructions for collection tubes.
Specimen Storage and Preservation	Specimens may be stored on or off the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel for: - Up to 72 hours post collection at 2 - 30°C or - Up to seven (7) days at 2 - 8 °C If testing will be delayed more than three (3) days for specimens stored at room temperature or more than seven (7) days for specimens stored at 2 - 8°C, aliquot serum and store at (-20)°C or colder. Avoid three (3) or more freeze/thaw cycles.
Specimen Transportation	Ship specimens at 2-8°C on cold packs, if possible. Specimens may be shipped at 2-30°C if receipt at the laboratory will occur within 72 hours of collection. Specimen must be placed in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material and should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection. All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180).
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection	Specimen from patients <2 years old will be rejected.
Testing Location	Nashville Knoxville

Laboratory Reporting

Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.

Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.

Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Summary

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically CD4 T-cells, leaving a person vulnerable to other infections.
Most people get flu-like symptoms soon after infection, but many can remain symptom-free for years while the virus silently progresses.
It is transmitted via infected bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids), typically through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
There is no cure, but early and ongoing antiretroviral treatment (ART) can keep the virus suppressed and prevent transmission.

Clinical Links & Info

Disease Surveillance and Trends | CDC

Access the case report form (2025) | TDH

Clinical Care for HIV | CDC

Guidelines and Recommendations | CDC

Healthcare Provider Reporting

Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.

Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:

• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857

• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.

• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.

• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.

Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public

What It Is

HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system by attacking CD4 cells.
Without treatment, it leads to AIDS, the final severe stage.
It spreads through blood, sexual fluids, or from mother to child.
It is a lifelong infection, but can be controlled.

Types

Main types are HIV-1 (most common) and HIV-2 (less severe, mostly in West Africa).
HIV-1 has several groups and subtypes.
HIV-2 progresses slower and is less infectious.
Both cause immune damage over time.

Signs and Symptoms

Early: fever, fatigue, sore throat, rash (flu-like illness).
Chronic: weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats.
Late (AIDS): infections, cancers, extreme weakness.
Some people stay symptom-free for years.

Treatment

No cure, but ART (antiretroviral therapy) controls the virus.
Treatment prevents immune damage and AIDS.
Early, daily therapy helps patients live long, healthy lives.
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).

This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM