Thursday, September 21, 2006

Universal testing requirements for HIV infections seen by ecstatic patient advocates as helping to end the stigma of diseases caused by profligacy

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Don't ask what your government can do for, errrrr, to you. . . .

Perverts and drug addicts are ecstatic that new government programs will require that everybody be tested for HIV and AIDS diseases. They feel stigmatized and discriminated against because only they have to get screened. "Pride celebrations will really by something to celebrate now", said one giddy gay gadabout as he turned into Derek's Debauchery Den on 15th Street. "I might even find a new friend at the testing clinic."


All Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 should be routinely tested for HIV to help catch infections earlier and stop the spread of the deadly virus, federal health recommendations announced Thursday say.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said HIV testing should become about as common as a cholesterol check. Nearly half of new HIV infections are discovered when doctors are trying to diagnose a sick patient who has come for care, CDC officials said.

“We know that many HIV infected people seek health care and they don’t get tested. And many people are not diagnosed until late in the course of their illness, when they’re already sick with HIV-related conditions,” said Dr. Timothy Mastro, acting director of the CDC’s division of HIV/AIDS prevention.

“By identifying people earlier through a screening program, we’ll allow them to access life-extending therapy, and also through prevention services, learn how to avoid transmitting HIV infection to others,” he said.

The announcement was hailed by some HIV patient advocates and health policy experts. They said the guidelines could help end the stigma of HIV testing and lead to needed care for an estimated 250,000 Americans who don’t yet know they have the disease.

“I think it’s an incredible advance. I think it’s courageous on the part of the CDC,” said A. David Paltiel, a health policy expert at the Yale University School of Medicine. [snip] MSNBC

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think it's really important to note that it's not actually being REQUIRED. Just suggested. I had to go to the doctor this week and the test was offered to me. I refused...and all patients have a RIGHT to refuse any offered test. Any patient advocate will tell you this.

I don't think it's a bad thing that the test is being offered to people, but boy howdy, if they REQUIRED IT they'd have to get a warrant from the court.

~ Adoro