HIV and ID Observations

An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
all matters medical, and some not so medical.

July 14th, 2010

Common Sense on the HIV Testing Law in the Bay State

1972 electoral college mapFrom yesterday’s Boston Globe:

Existing state law puts up a speed bump, by demanding a special written consent form before doctors can check for the AIDS virus. A bill before the state Senate would bring the rules for HIV screening closer to those for other routine tests. The change is warranted, yet some AIDS activists are opposing it in overheated terms…

Actually, there’s nothing sinister about this bill. And there’s ample evidence that the current setup — which signals that people should hesitate to be tested — keeps some people from finding out their status. A key indicator of the need for more testing in Massachusetts is that about one-third of those testing positive for HIV become sick with full-blown AIDS within two months. Such a quick descent means that they have already been infected for years, likely transmitting the infection and not benefiting from any treatment themselves.

This is unconscionable. More routine testing will save lives.

What a great editorial!

While those of us of a certain political persuasion have been proud of being “special” in 1972 (see map), it would be a national embarrassment to remain one of the few states with outdated barriers to HIV testing.

Categories: Health Care


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HIV Information: Author Paul Sax, M.D.

Paul E. Sax, MD

Contributing Editor

NEJM Journal Watch
Infectious Diseases

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