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US Capital In HIV Test Initiative
US Capital In HIV Test Initiative
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Aids activists say authorities may not be able to cope with the results | Health authorities in Washington DC are launching a pioneering scheme to promote HIV testing.
The authorities hope the scheme will lead to tests becoming routine across all health services in the District of Columbia from schools to hospitals.
It will target everyone aged between 14 and 84 and is thought to be the US's most aggressive such testing campaign.
The district has the US's highest Aids rate and new figures show 4% of residents have HIV, officials said.
"This is public issue number one," said health director Gregg Pane as the latest infection figures were released on the on the eve of the campaign, the Washington Post reported.
The authorities are distributing 80,000 rapid testing kits which just use a mouth swab, not a blood test, and give results in 20 minutes.
These are being handed out to a range of medical centres, including schools, community health clinics and hospital.
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AIDS IN THE US
1m Americans have HIV
40,000 infected each year.
About a quarter of those infected are unaware
| Testing still needs the individual's consent - but it is thought to be the biggest testing drive the US has yet seen.
A total of 16,165 Aids cases were recorded in Washington DC between 1981 and 2004.
Officials are now estimating as many as 25,000 may have HIV in the district.
"That's a huge number," said Marsha Martin, senior deputy director of the DC Administration for HIV Policy and Programs, the Post reported.
It is thought that roughly a quarter of those in the US with HIV do not yet know they are infected.
Early detection also makes a big difference to how effective treatment can be.
Counselling
But the BBC's Jill McGivering says some of those working with people with HIV or Aids are sounding a note of caution about the campaign.
They are anxious that counselling and support services will not cope if there is a sudden flood of people with positive tests, she says.
But the authorities insist they are prepared. The 20-minute wait for results is used for initial counselling, they told the BBC, and talk about risk and sexual behaviour.
Anyone who tests positive is then referred for specialist medical care and will have further counselling as part of that, they say.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta estimates that more than one million Americans have HIV and about 40,000 people are infected each year.
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US Gov Never Does Anything Unless It Can Make $$$ Money Doing It To You...
Great Write On!
Your Friend TRASK
I give President Bush a lot of credit, though...he has taken a staunch and active stand and spoken out for 'abstinence', ever since he took office, and he further introduced discussion of such, into our schools
....the saddest thing I think I've ever heard, is that since BC, children as young as 8 and 9 years old are now participating in the same act as he did - in school restrooms! - because he said that was not sex! Throat cancer among the very young is one of the direct results!
Today, I listened to an African teacher, who is HIV infected, teaching her students to ABSTAIN - and LIVE!
I wept.....................................
Now, they'll see it here, too, en masse, I fear.
God bless you, Peter. Rhonda
I just interceded for the cure and healing of AIDS here and in remote places such as Africa. I am for the testing. Others may see it as an invasive violation in their privacy but I am for it. I think it’s important for everyone to have the testing. I had two and had a good clean bill of health. We must also remember what’s going on in Africa….. U2" Bono is working night and day with Bill and Melinda Gates to find testing and are working with scientist by forming grass roots donations, plus they have donated their own time, sweat and money, I’m talking millions upon millions of their own money. I have seen them all in villages on the back side of nowhere, I mean no running water, no food.. We forget all this in America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do see a cure in our life time. The ones that are pessimistic could never break down and pray for these precious souls.. It is a matter of bringing these issues to the table with the power you have as a journalist. Speak deliverance and healing../Speak healing especially in those remote South Africa which has the deadliest epidemic.. We will not speak negative and hopelessness..… We will speak GOD HAS CURED AIDS.. Amen.. Thank you angel for your continued efforts to call forth the intercessors!!!!! Your planting hidden spiritual seeds Peter that will flourish.. Claim it!
Peace & Love, Dove