HIV is hands down the worst pandemic of our time. Millions of people worldwide are afflicted by the virus and the disease it inflicts upon its victims. The worst part about it is the fact that you don't even have to have HIV in order to be affected by it.
Maybe you don't know anyone with the virus, but you probably know someone who has a friend or a relative with it. To see the decline in not only health, but quality of life is heart-wrenching. The fact that in today's world we can allow the spread to be as rampant as it is without any effective way of regulating it is pathetic.
The fact that it can be spread in ways other than sexual endeavors is important. No one is perfect and sometimes there are mistakes made in blood transfusions and tissue donations which aren't caught before it's too late and someone new is infected with HIV.
This is why it was a great relief to me this morning when I found out that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is pushing for AIDS testing to become part of routine physicals for patients ages 13-64. To me this is wonderful news that could save a lot of lives and essentially a lot of money. Consider that most people who spread AIDS don't know they have it. Perhaps they transmitted it from someone else who didn't know they had it. By making these tests part of a routine physical it gives access to knowledge which could in turn save a lot of lives by preventing the spread of HIV. Preventing the spread of disease will reduce the costly treatments for it across the board. Two very positive aspects.
The only problem with the physicals is that not everyone gets a physical, not everyone has health coverage and not everyone is at risk for HIV. Perhaps married couples (who are faithful) should be excluded, but they do have the right to decline testing just the same. What about the sexually active teenagers who are worried about their parents and will probably refuse to get the testing? Something needs to be done for them... perhaps counseling to help them tell their parents. It's scary enough to be a college student and considering what would happen if I got HIV and how I would break it to my loved ones, let alone a thirteen year old in middle school. What about those people who don't have the means to go to the doctor and get tested? Sure there are options like the county health department, but not everyone has a way to get there.
There are repercussions to consider as well. The devastation that ensues with a positive diagnosis. The CDC has considered this and addressed the matter to include the fact that counseling services would need to be provided. This involves more time and money to be spent, but it also creates more jobs, which is good for our economy.
So tell me why it wouldn't be a good idea for Congress to pass proposed legislation on the matter, because I don't see anything but good to come from it.
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