HIV Testing - Is it For Everyone?

What's The Issue?

The benefits of HIV testing are clear. Knowing your HIV status keeps protects you and your partner if you are both negative and allows you to get into medical care if you are positive. But does everyone need to get an HIV test? What about people considered a "low risk" for HIV infection? Should they be tested too? Does risk matter? Should everyone have at least one HIV test? Let's argue the case.

What Does the CDC Recommend?

Currently, there is no mandatory HIV testing. In some states, pregnant women are tested in order to identify infection so steps can be taken to prevent infection of the unborn child. Testing is also required when there is an occupational exposure, by way of needlestick for instance. Insurance companies require testing prior to issuing life insurance policies. But in no way is testing mandatory in any other situation.

Emergency Treatment for a Needlestick

That's a good question. One of the most important issues facing the scientific community is stopping the spread of HIV. Proponents of HIV testing contend that knowing your HIV status is an essential part of ending the epidemic. One only has to look at Africa to see how being unaware of your HIV status can fuel the HIV epidemic. Even in the US, experts estimate that 25 percent of all people infected with HIV are unaware of their infection. Without awareness safer sex precautions are often not taken, and thus the epidemic grows.

Poor HIV Testing Fuels a Raging Epidemic

There are people who insist that only those at risk for HIV infection should be tested. Their contention is that testing people who are perceived to be low risk is a waste of time, testing resources, money, and simply has no purpose.

Who's At Highest Risk For HIV Infection?

So the real question is does selective HIV testing impede HIV prevention efforts?