Comments on: State senators take HIV test, encourage others to take it

By: Todd A. Heywood

Todd A. Heywood — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:05:54 +0000

HIV testing As I note in the story, the CDC now recommends that all Americans be tested yearly as part of their annual physical. The belief, the CDC said in its report and recommendations, is that by making it routine health care medical professionals will do two things:

1) they will educate clients about HIV and the way it is and is not spread; and

2) clients, being tested for HIV annually, will in turn remove the stigma attached to testing itself.

The stigma of being HIV positive however, will remain until the first goals are addressed.

By: Minehaha Forman

Minehaha Forman — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:31:58 +0000

HIV awareness There are so many -- too many -- people that think "well it can't happen to me" and continue to make poor decisions that put them at risk without getting tested. I actually met someone who thought that only gay people could spread HIV. I just feel that the fact that these thoughts even exist in a society that is supposedly "educated" is inexcusable and detrimental because ignorance is why HIV is still spreading as rapidly as it is.

It's good that the senators came out and took the test, it's one step in the right direction in getting people informed and tested.

By: JPowers155

JPowers155 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:25:22 +0000

Public Health Critical to All My thanks to the Senators who participated in HIV Testing day for showing their constituents and colleagues how easy, safe and confidential testing really is. Too bad the Senate Republicans once again failed to show leadership by participating.

By: JPowers155

JPowers155 — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

By: Minehaha Forman

Minehaha Forman — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

HIV awareness There are so many — too many — people that think “well it can’t happen to me” and continue to make poor decisions that put them at risk without getting tested. I actually met someone who thought that only gay people could spread HIV. I just feel that the fact that these thoughts even exist in a society that is supposedly “educated” is inexcusable and detrimental because ignorance is why HIV is still spreading as rapidly as it is.
It’s good that the senators came out and took the test, it’s one step in the right direction in getting people informed and tested.

By: Todd A. Heywood

Todd A. Heywood — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

HIV testing As I note in the story, the CDC now recommends that all Americans be tested yearly as part of their annual physical. The belief, the CDC said in its report and recommendations, is that by making it routine health care medical professionals will do two things:
1) they will educate clients about HIV and the way it is and is not spread; and
2) clients, being tested for HIV annually, will in turn remove the stigma attached to testing itself.

The stigma of being HIV positive however, will remain until the first goals are addressed.