Should there be mandatory testing for Aids?

No. Well, I do think it should be mandatory for any pregnant woman but otherwise no. It is impossible to regulate and not to mention costly. What would be the purpose? So that everyone is guaranteed to get medical care? Just because someone knows their status doesn't mean they are likely to follow up with medical care. Also if we start mandating something like this, where does it end? What's next Herpes, Hep C?

EDIT: We assume that when someone knows their status they will change their behavior. However, that is not necessarily true, which is what I have learned in the last year working in an HIV/AIDS medical clinic. I have witnessed patients being told flat out by the doctor that if they don't take their medication they are going to die and despite that they still don't come back. It's sad and if I knew there would be dramatic results from people knowing their status, I would be the first one lobbying for this bill. I have come to realize that it's more about when people are ready to accept their reality and hold themselves accountable for their choices. When someone is sentenced to court mandated d&a programs, studies have shown how unsuccessful it is and majority of the people end up relapsing anyway. There is a reason for that. You can drag a horse to water while they're kicking and screaming but that does not mean they are going to drink the water.

Being a HIV+ female, I think there should be mandatory testing for HIV.

I was raped and I believe my rapist didn't know he had HIV and if there was mandatory testing, I wouldn't be where I am today.

I think there are a lot of people out there today that are HIV+ and do not know it and unfortunately, they are having unprotected sex and putting themselves (risking other STD's) and other people at risk.

And if one knew of their status, they would be able to keep themselves healthy along with everyone else.

But in saying this, if there is mandatory testing, this should be kept under lock and key and shouldn't be made available to the public. It shouldn't be used against them.

It's a great idea, but.......I think it is the responsibility of Doctors to offer all their patients a HIV test when they do other blood work. I think every person should be tested once a year if they have been at risk, even if it is a marginal risk.

HIV has to be destigmatized. It is still a death sentence to the ears of a lot of people and I find they rather not know. The truth is if you find out early the higher quality care we can offer people who are living with HIV.

Statistics show us that between 40 and 60 thousand people test positive each year in the United States, it is well thought out that there are up to 25% more that are infected, but don't know it so that is 10-15 Thousand people who have HIV, don't know it and are infecting others.

Someone can be HIV+ and not know it, there usually are no tell tale signs, until it's to late. It can taake 10-12 years for any visable signs and it is much harder to help at that point.

We know education alone does not work in HIV prevention, people are tired of hearing baout it and some havae even told me with the new medications it not a big deal anymore.

Well yes it is, the side effects of the medications, the newer problems we see with long term survivors like, liver failure, kidney failure, heart and respitory problem all new problems we are seeing, because people are living.

SO No there should not be mandatory testing for HIV, but testing should become a normal part of all medical routines.

(Should there be mandatory testing for HIV?)

I feel for liningtype.rm, but looking back at sweetesoul's answer gives a partial response - just because a person knows his or her status doesn't mean they'll change their behavior. She could still (and probably would) have been raped.

Should testing be mandatory? It's a nice thought - everyone gets tested and those who are infected can get treatment. Go back to sweetsoul's answer that just because someone know's their status doesn't mean they'll take positive action.

The other problem we've come up with in groups I discussed this subject - who's going to pay for the treatment? As it stands - most if not all HIV clinics are funded at least partially with Ryan White funding. More often completely. Congress in their infinate wisdom has done very little to increase funding over the years or to designate how the funding would be spread. This disease is progressing every year. What worked for funding in the 1990's isn't working now. We need huge increases in funding and a better system of distributing these funds. Just to deal with the treatments now. Not to mention trying to treat everyone who would test positive.