Officials: Test All Americans For HIV

(CBS/AP)  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 officials recommended Thursday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans should have an AIDS test during their annual doctor's visit, along with other procedures they might normally have, reported CBS News' Cami McCormick.

"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 do not 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.

The recommendations are not legally binding, but they influence what doctors do and what health insurance programs cover.

Some physicians groups predict the recommendations will be challenging to implement, involving time for testing, counseling and revising consent procedures.

And some doctors wonder if testing people beyond high-risk groups justifies the cost, reported McCormick.

"Are doctors going to do it? Probably not," said Dr. Larry Fields, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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[commonvoter]

The cost adside, my question is why would this country try again to legislate against the right of individual to decide if and when to be tested for what!! This on top of the effort to make it manditory for young girls to be immunized for cerivcal cancer when the injection has no history as to safety and effectivness.

Does our Bill of Rights only apply in our minds?

[karen091866]

I've worked hospice/terminal care as a nurse for many years--and to watch anyone die from this disease is devastating.

People (the 'Powers that Be') are simply desperate & frantic to try to find any way possible to put a cap on the damages & devastation this disease causes.

Regardless of socioeconomic status, persons battling this disease require intense (and expensive) medical care. The medications, the cost of PPE (personal protective equipment..for caregivers) and other endless things, like special equipment once the person becomes weakened, i.e. wheelchair, hospital-style bed...the list goes on & on---all of those things are NECESSARY regardless of the person's ability to pay for the care.

Someone absorbs those costs. Humane and compassionate care HAS to be provided--and with that, comes a price tag. (As with most everything in life)

People really need to get a grip. HIV/AIDS is not a *** or homosexual disease---it's EVERYONE's problem. Talk about prevention or attempts at containment freak people out & get everyone's feathers in a ruffle because one mode of transmission is sexual contact.

Get over it. Would everyone freaking out over the possibility of this testing be reacting the same if the testing were for POLIO or MALARIA?

Doubtful.

[starlady2]

Yet another excuse for involuntary human experimentation for the gain and benefit of the pharmaceutical tycoons! This country is adopting more and more Communist policies!

[cricket056]

If they are telling us to get tested for HIV, then I hope this test is being paid for by the goverment.The testing I have done on a regular basis is expensive enough without being told I have to pay for yet another. I do agree that more people should be tested, but at the same time there are many who are on a fixed income and can't afford the fee of another test.

[oigen]

Under no circumstances should anyone allow themselves to be tested lest one wants to be condemned to a life of abject misery. Be aware that the test kit manufacturers themselves are unsure as to the validity of test results and state so in test kit information inserts.
See.... http://snipurl.com/wsj9