HIV
Emergency referrals
Consider urgent referral for patients with the following:
- Evidence of AIDs
- Opportunistic infections
- Pneumocystis infection
- Widespread candida infection
- Extensive seborrheic dermatitis
- Kaposi sarcoma
- TB
- CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm3
- Opportunistic infections
Features that may lead to more urgent categorisation
- All new cases of HIV will be seen as Cat 1
- Management of high risk HIV exposure (post exposure prophylaxis)
Other important information for referring practitioners
Lifestyle changes
- All patients with HIV infection should practice safe sex and inform all sexual partners
- Occupational factors may need to be considered especially in health service professions
- Adopt healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake
Medical management
- All people with HIV should be referred to a specialist for consideration and management of anti- viral therapy
- Educate the patient about the disease
- Consider referral to psychologist to help with adjustment
- Strongly advise the importance of compliance with medication
- Monitor for side effects of medication
- The GP should be familiar of the common side effects of anti HIV therapy
- Communicate regularly with the patients specialist regarding changes on the patient’s condition
- Please see map of Medicine links for information on exposure to HIV and post exposure prophylaxis
Drugs used in HIV treatment
- Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcription inhibitor (NRTI)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcription inhibitors (NNRTI)
- Protease inhibitors
- Integrase inhibitors
- Fusion inhibitors
- Entry inhibitors
- Fixed dose combination drugs
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Health pathways
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For login details email:
healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.