According to the CDC, the spread of HIV/AIDS is so overwhelming that starting this summer (2006), all persons ages 13-64 will be getting HIV tests as part of a regular doctor's visit. They say that "HIV testing will become as normal as testing your cholesterol."

What do you think of this? I know that I had to be tested to go to college and I think that it's smart to require that stuff if you're living with people, but I'm not sure that absolutely everyone needs it annually. I'm sure that older people aren't at such a high risk as 15-25 year olds.

I'm interested to see how much the tests will cost and how warmly they are accepted.

I think it's a great idea. Maybe they should screen for all the stuff that the Red Cross does when they collect blood.

The word "mandatory" is probably overstating it. Nothing is mandatory for adults... not sure about kids (vaccinations and such).

I am not opposed to it. Rather like the idea. Better to KNOW if you have it so you can protect others and treat yourself. So many poeple carry it without knowing and spread it to others without knowing. Better to know something like that as soon as possible. I am all for mandatory testing.

I'm all for asking questions that would determine if someone is a candidate for that kind of testing... But there are many people who are very unlikely to have HIV or AIDS and I don't think they should 'have' to be tested for it..

And as far as vaccinations go, you don't have to have your child vaccinated... A lot of Scientologists don't get their children vaccinated (I've been reading a lot about that lately with Tom Cruise being so psycho)...

Yeah, I think that if you're a candidate that COULD have it, then it's a good idea to get tested. Otherwise it should be in no way mandatory.

The thought of 13 and 14 year olds being sexually active and getting HIV is a little scary too me.
Its sad how young kids these days are getting HIV or other forms of STDs. Im sure there are a ton of kids in my school who may have it.

I agree with it though, there's no harm in getting the test done. It's not THAT complicated, is it?

No, they just withdrew blood from me. I am not at any risk for it, but I had to prove it for college medical records.

I agree with how scary it is to think that kids are so sexually active these days. It grosses me out. When I was in middle school, a HUG from a boy freaked me out! I can't imagine what kids are like these days and I'm only 20!

Hahahaha.

Kids these days are verrrrrrrrry dirrty

Overall I thinks its a good way to help prevent HIV.

Considering I just did a research paper on the affect HIV/AIDS is having on the African American population, and really the WHOLE American population, I think that HIV testing is a good idea! However, I do not think it shoul be 'mandatory'. I kinda agree with what Jolie said, there are a lot of people who have no been exposed to a the risk factors for getting HIV and therefore, they may feel violated/insulted if they "have to" have an HIV test. That said, I think that is is a good idea for EVERYONE who has been exposed to the risk factors (i.e. sexual activity, drug use, etc) to be tested, regardless of age.

Sadly, HIV is affecting adolescents more and more. If I remember correctly, inner-city youths are becoming one of the groups with the higest and fastest growing HIV rates in the nation. So, like I said, I think testing is a good thing, but the mandatory part may be going a bit to far. Still, HIV testing and "knowing your status" is a great thing (IMO)!

I think anyone who has any risk factors should be tested, but making something like that mandatory could cause some political issues. Also, a large number of those at risk arn't likey to visit a doctor often. But with the seriousness of this illness and the fact that it is rapidly spreading, I could understand if drastic measures are taken to protect those who are not infected and to get earlier diagnosis and treatment to those that are.

quote:

Originally posted by luvs2talk20:
Sadly, HIV is affecting adolescents more and more. If I remember correctly, inner-city youths are becoming one of the groups with the higest and fastest growing HIV rates in the nation. So, like I said, I think testing is a good thing, but the mandatory part may be going a bit to far. Still, HIV testing and "knowing your status" is a great thing (IMO)!

I don't get your response here luvs. You think it is a growing problem with inner-city youth and think testing is a good thing, but don't think it should be mandatory? How would these kids get tested if not for mandatory testing? I don't imagine that these kids would volunteer to go get tested, or that their parents take them to get tested. It's kids in areas liked this that it should be mandatory. But how "racist" would it be to implement a program like that for just one section of society! Therefore, routine testing for all who visit a doctor's office, for any ailment, covers the effects of "mandatory" testing for certain areas.


I like the word routine as oppossed to mandatory, it's less harsh and authoritative!

There all sorts of things people get tested or not tested for based on "race."


Anyway, I agree with luvs.

It's not mandatory. Except under special circumstances (like you're in the military, you're incarcerated, you're putting others at risk) no test would ever be mandatory. I gotta say though, that even though CDC can't make it mandatory, insurance companies can. And there are some insurance companies that won't cover people who are HIV positive.

Without getting graphic, here are a couple (not all) main risk factors:

1. You have a physical relationship with someone of unknown HIV status.

2. You come into contact with used injection needles or someone else's blood. Includes tattooing, piercing, and some minor surgical procedures.

A huge part of the population fits this description.

Of course risk is much higher with certain behaviors and in certain populations, but there is some risk everywhere. There are no geographical or community boundaries.

In terms of public health, leaving it up to people to judge their own risk is not a very good option; people are usually really, really, really bad at doing that. I predict that next year the number of cases reported will be significantly higher... simply because more people will have been tested who wouldn't have known otherwise.

HIV is one of those things that has very real social consequences attached to it. Jobs and relationships can be at stake, as well as health expenses. So people don't want to know they have it, and they don't want to know other people have it. Good for the virus, not so good for public health.

HIV is scary i think its good to test people for it so they dont develop AIDS and well...die or pass it to others

We already have mandatory testing of newborns for diseases that may have far reaching implications: phenylketonuria and sickle cell disease are two chronic diseases we test for. Early identification leads to a much better quality of life for these children. Since we actually have drugs that are effective in treating HIV to prolong life, as well as preventing it's passage to newborn babies, I think people actually deserve to know if they have HIV.

I think that the current recommendation is already for all pregnant women to be tested for HIV, since something can be done to prevent transmission to the baby during birth.

Well they can't just say that they will only test a certain race 100% or a certain group of people, because that is discrimination... And well it is illegal for them to do that.. Same reason that it is illegal for them to demand that motorcyclist wear helmets... They can make a law saying they have to have it on their bike, but they can't say they have to wear it cuz they are a minority and they can't be discriminated against...

quote:

Originally posted by theJANAtor :


I'm not sure that absolutely everyone needs it annually. I'm sure that older people aren't at such a high risk as 15-25 year olds.

I once read an article (could be inaccurate, but anyhow...) that said one of the fastest growing populations of HIV positive people is in older folks, because they're now divorced and widowed and entering the dating scene and they're not used to the kinds of risks being there like we are.