HIV testing - A standard part of your yearly physical

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

There was a Law & Order episode about this. A guy who had AIDS and was fully aware of this had sex with as many girls as possible and afterwards told them that he wanted them to get infected as well.

I don't know if I've seen that one. What was the verdict??

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I don't know if I've seen that one. What was the verdict??

It looked like he was going to be found guilty, but I don't remember if there was a verdict. At the end of the episode he was hospitalized and told that he had a year left to live though.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I don't know if I've seen that one. What was the verdict??

I feel compelled to remind people that Law & Order is not really an accurate source for information regarding law.

As for the original topic, I have a problem with being forced to submit myself to any test that I don't want. But I don't think that's the case here. If it's just included in the whole co-pay for my yearly physical I don't really have a problem with it. I believe you can elect which bloodwork you want done anyway and HIV testing would fall under that same umbrella. So although your doctor may "recommend" HIV testing as part of your yearly physical, you don't have to do it.

ETA:

The CDC recommendations update guidelines released in 1993 and suggest:

• A voluntary "opt out" approach. Patients would be told that HIV testing is part of routine care but could decline the test, just as they can decline to be tested for cholesterol.

This is from the article. After looking at it I have no problem with the recommendation.