CDC wants HIV tests for everyone

DeLySh · May 9, 2006

This would be great if they could get it done. I was just reading the same story on MSN and am encouraged.

Question: You know ... I have gone for many "routine physicals" and have never had my blood drawn and the only cholesterol test I have ever had came "free" when I donated blood at a blood drive one time. Does this come later as you get older? If so, how will that be as helpful in the pursuit of HIV?

DeLySh

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 9, 2006

This would be great if they could get it done. I was just reading the same story on MSN and am encouraged.
Question: You know ... I have gone for many "routine physicals" and have never had my blood drawn and the only cholesterol test I have ever had came "free" when I donated blood at a blood drive one time. Does this come later as you get older? If so, how will that be as helpful in the pursuit of HIV?
DeLySh

I believe they are making reference to the routine CBCs (complete blood counts) that are drawn for routine lab work. They want to include AIDS testing as a part of these routine checks. Everyone has a CBC at some point. Most of the time if you go to a doctor's office and they have blood drawn, a CBC is completed.

I think it SHOULD be included as a matter of routine unless the patient refuses. Unfortunately AIDS has become a fact of life in this day and age, and I do agree that this will indeed help stop transmission/spreading and may even make people think twice about making rash decisions regarding their sexuality and what they do with whom...

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 9, 2006

This would be great if they could get it done. I was just reading the same story on MSN and am encouraged.
Question: You know ... I have gone for many "routine physicals" and have never had my blood drawn and the only cholesterol test I have ever had came "free" when I donated blood at a blood drive one time. Does this come later as you get older?

You are 33 and you have never had a routine blood test!!!!!!

Most MDs do a routine Chem panel, UA and CBC, especially after 30-35.

Of course with my history, it may just be me...but don't they usual do this yearly. Heck, my hospital used to do a yearly chem and CBC on us, as part of our yearly check up.

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On the topic though, I think that we will still have problems with people getting the test that don't need it and people that really need the test "slipping though the cracks". The homeless, the poor, the drug addicted, the underinsured will not be getting screened. In addition, the male population is less likely to have "yearly" checkups. It is a pricey test and has long term consequences, regarding job/insurance issues. It may also lead people to avoid routine physicals, as HIV is reportable in most states. I doubt if stigma will be erased that easily.

DeLySh · May 9, 2006

Nope, not with a "routine physical" - only when I've come in complaining of something (and that's only been a couple of times) or this last time I was pg (been pg 3 times). It sounds like this is not the case for everyone, just me?

Good thing. That is a load off of my mind.

DeLySh

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 10, 2006

On the topic though, I think that we will still have problems with people getting the test that don't need it and people that really need the test "slipping though the cracks". The homeless, the poor, the drug addicted, the underinsured will not be getting screened. In addition, the male population is less likely to have "yearly" checkups. It is a pricey test and has long term consequences, regarding job/insurance issues. It may also lead people to avoid routine physicals, as HIV is reportable in most states. I doubt if stigma will be erased that easily.

Those are my feelings as well. Personally I don't think this is a good idea at all.

indigo girl · May 10, 2006

Those are my feelings as well. Personally I don't think this is a good idea at all.

DITTO.

Works2xs · May 10, 2006

I believe they (the CDC) noted that approximately 1/4 of the people believed to have HIV don't know it. Besides the obvious impact of the delay in those individuals receiving treatment there's the number of people being exposed as a result of this lack of knowledge. So regardless of what is or isn't done, seems to be a non-trivial problem here.

Yes, privacy regarding any result is a huge issue. However, it's not restricted to this particular disease. ANY health information that can get to people who shouldn't have access to it is a problem. So placing that concern at the the front as a reason NOT to do such testing is really a red herring. If it will be a problem for HIV testing, then it already is a problem for such issues as mental health, cancer, genetic disease, etc. etc.

Expense is also a big concern. Perhaps it would be less expensive for that unknowing 1/4 to start treatment sooner rather than wait till they are acutely ill with an opportunistic infection, etc., later. And wouldn't it be cheaper if those who had the disease knew it and could take steps to prevent any accidental exposure to others in the first place? "An ounce of prevention..." is pretty well established as a truism for health services.

It's a shame that political pressures have to play into making such decisions. I wish there was an easy answer. If what we've been doing (regarding public health policy) isn't producing the results we need, then continuing not to take action is certainly suspect. It will be interesting to see/hear the discussions that take place as a result of this recommendation. Perhaps options that haven't been touched upon will come to light as a result of the public discourse on the matter.

CHATSDALE · May 10, 2006

to stop the spread we need an informed population...this does not mean that the information be given out to employers

i think that medical care should be in the same catagory as dialysis, covered for all regardless of insurance or ability to pay

health insurance is so high and takes such a big bite out of the working poor that perhaps if it was covered by taxes it would be more equitable and those needing care would not be detered from seeking help due to leaving family in dire financial straits

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · May 10, 2006

CDC wants HIV tests for everyone
Tuesday, May 9, 2006; Posted: 9:27 a.m. EDT (13:27 GMT)
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Testing for the AIDS virus could become part of routine physical exams for adults and teens if doctors follow new U.S. guidelines expected to be issued by this summer.
The rest of the article can be seen here: http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/hiv.testing.ap/index.html

Long time coming.