HIV Testing Question

MrMazda

This depends on where you live. Within North America, it is standard for certain things, such as pregnant women, severely ill patients with flu-like symptoms, or patients who have been sexually assaulted. Aside from that, it is generally a test that is done by request. Legally, in Canada and the United States, the patient must be made aware of STI testing such as an HIV test and consent to such testing prior to the blood being drawn. Some doctors will make this type of testing also "standard" if you've identified to your doctor that you are sexually active.

DennSedai

By and large in the US at least, one is required to give signed permission for HIV testing. Or at least that's been my experience. They have fairly strict rules regarding any type of STD/STI testing, because of privacy laws.

Now granted there are exceptions, but those are rare.

leeniedo

Thanks guys.

I'm in the US. I'll have to ask my DR next time I'm in. All he said was we haven't done blood work on your for awhile.

samiderwish

in khalij u must to do this test if u want to work there

samiderwish

i will try

everyman

I have gone to a clinic set up for LGBT folks every 6 months and get tested. My regular Doctor who knows about my lifestyle doesn't run a HIV test as I share with Him the results from the clinic so I have no idea if it is now standard. I do think you have to agree to it before they do it as I have to at the clinic.

spam17

@DennSedai:

By and large in the US at least, one is required to give signed permission for HIV testing. Or at least that's been my experience. They have fairly strict rules regarding any type of STD/STI testing, because of privacy laws.

Now granted there are exceptions, but those are rare.

I wonder if things changed with Mr. Trump in charge..

$:-\$

MrMazda

Knowing Trump, he'll probably decide something really dumb like HIV doesn't exist, and that it's just a myth, so he'll pull the plug on testing, research, etc. for it… This is already the direction he's leaned towards several times now

spam17

@MrMazda:

Knowing Trump, he'll probably decide something really dumb like HIV doesn't exist, and that it's just a myth, so he'll pull the plug on testing, research, etc. for it… This is already the direction he's leaned towards several times now

We'll see if this is propaganda or not..

:cheesy2:

Oscarbingham

It should not be mandatory, ever.

pppucci

The CDC does not recommend requiring consent before testing:
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/policies/law/states/testing.html
but each state has its own rules.
Since HIV is now very treatable, and that heterosexuals are vulnerable, as well as less of a stigma associated the being gay, may doctors do order it as a part of a general physical. In any event, it would be ethically and legally wrong to divulge the result to a third party without the patient's consent. Federal privacy laws (HIPPA) protects that. Mandatory testing should only be required of those whose jobs would put the public at risk (those are few and far between. Many support mandatory testing before marriage, as syphilis testing is in many states.