HIV Testing

Few would argue that HIV testing is one of the most vital tools in addressing the HIV epidemic. But, does everyone feel that way, or even understand the significance of knowing his/her HIV status. A recent study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (June 2009) found that despite efforts to encourage more HIV testing, including making it a part of routine medical care, "reported rates of HIV testing have remained flat over time." In fact, the share of non-elderly (ages 13-64) who report having been tested within the last year has not changed in over a decade. Although some groups, such as African Americans, Latinos and young adults are more likely to report having been tested, even their rates have remained virtually unchanged over the last several years. In 2009, less than one-half of the adults in the United States say that they have ever been tested.

Another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (Morbidity and Mortality Report-June 27, 2009) suggests that many people do not submit to HIV testing until late into the course of their infection. In the study, 45% of the testers progressed to a full blown AIDS diagnosis within 3 years of their positive HIV test. More troubling is that over a third (38%) progressed to full blown AIDS within a year. Moreover, minorities, especially African American men, were more likely to progress to full blown AIDS within 3 years of HIV diagnosis, e.g... were late testers.

The moral of the story, get tested: even if you do not think you are at risk. Too many people are apparently waiting until they get sick to get an HIV test. Consequently, they are giving HIV a head start and limiting the possibilities for successful treatment. HIV may be becoming a chronic disease, but the quality of life may be significantly improved by early testing and treatment. So, what are you waiting for?

Zoonoses

Confused? I had not heard of that word either, until I did a little research for this blog about animal to human disease transmission. Zoonoses are emerging infectious diseases that have transferred to humans from animal hosts. I embarked on this research after learning of the discovery of a new HIV strain thought to have originated from gorillas native to Cameroon. This makes the fourth documented strain of HIV: strain "M, the most common and "N," "O" and now "P." The latter three seem to manifest themselves primarily from the Cameroon region.

With so much evidence available that HIV is a Zoonose; ie..., that it originated from an animal host, in this case, chimpanzees, then why do so many people still believe that the HIV epidemic is a government conspiracy or some equally paranoid theory. In fact, most of the temperate diseases (found in temperate of tropical climates) such as measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox, influenza A and tuberculosis, are believed to have come from domestic animals. Moreover, most of the major infectious diseases also originated in animals: West Nile, Mad Cow, Cholera, Syphilis, Malaria, Ebola, Lyme Disease, Hantavirus, SARS, Swine Flu.

Clearly we need a little science lesson. Its time to jettison the conspiracy theories and understand that WE, our behavior, our ignorance, our intolerance and our apathy pose our greatest risk for HIV infection, not a government test tube!