December 13, 2006

World AIDS Day was earlier this month on December 1st. Martha Jefferson Hospital used this as an opportunity to inform the community more about the disease. Dr. Bruce Clemons discussed their next step, which is screening for the HIV virus as a form of prevention. This year there are some different recommendations as to who should be tested.

In past years, screenings focused on people who were at high risk, such as those involved in IV drug use. Now, hospitals want to screen all people between the age of 14 and 64, regardless of lifestyle.

One of the main purposes of these screenings is to identify those that have HIV and are unaware of it, and get them help before their disease gets too severe. Tests range from saliva tests, finger stick blood tests, and of course full blood tests.

To hear more about this new view on screenings, click the video link above.