Bull. Please explain to me how a faithful, 16 year, couple is at risk. There are more than a few of us out here you know.

Mick .. the danger comes from the use of public toilets. Using them can not only give you AIDS, there are also many documented cases of pregnacy use of public toilets.

Mick,

Please, please be very, very careful.

Thanks, JDR, for the info. Now we know why some kids don't favor their "dad".

Amen, Zhak

Mick,

I'm with you on this one. Routine AIDS testing for my wife and I would be one big waste of time.

Thanks for your concern. I am careful. Did you miss the part about a 16 year (this friday) faithful relationship? I know it is a shock to some of you out there but there actually are people who are and have been faithful to one another for years. Amazing isnt it.

The parting shot about breast cancer was a bit misleading as well especially from a health professional. Cancer can be acquired or developed in any number of ways, can be absolutely un-preventable and is in no way communicable. There are limited ways in which to contract AIDS, it is 100% preventable and is also communicable. Attempting to somehow equate the two was a low blow and unprofessional.

Mick--

My bad! I read too quickly and thought you were 16 years old!

Same here, Zhak. OOOPS e Daisy. I now agree with you Mick.

Obviously bad communication on my part. Funny though, I didnt need to be tested at 16 either!

My comment is not to reflect any judgement on anyone. It is meant to be informative only. I think it is important to point out the AIDS virus can lie dormant in the human body for 10-20 years after exposure. If you have never been tested, you may not know you have it, especially if you are asymptomatic (because the virus is dormant).

Therefore, you cannot assume you are "safe" just because you are in a monogamous relationship (unless both were virgins when they entered that relationship). After all, you can't tell a carrier by looking at them.

Yvonne, good point noted. Thanks for pointing that out!

Shalom

yvonne i'm curious if hiv is dormant in a person and if they are tested for hiv, will the test show evidence of the disease even though it is dormant ?

yvonne,
i did some online research and found out that even when dormant a certain type of test (viral load test) will show HIV RNA.

To add to what yvonne said, the issue is not necessarily that a current relationship is monogamous, but rather what was one or both parties sexual history before they got married or coupled. You marry or potentially marry their sexual past. It's a good practice for people to get tested before they get married just to be on the safer side especially if one or both had been sexually active before they met each other. Condoms give good but not total protection and other STD's can be caught even if using a condom. I know some counselors who encourage couples who are contemplating having a live in relationship to be tested. And obviously any one who is on the dating or whatever scene ought to consider periodic testing along with taking every possible precaution.

JoeJoe and others,

No one is arguing there arent larger numbers of folks who should be tested. The point was and is there are also large numbers of folks who have no need to be tested. The CDC's guidelines cast quite a large net. Too large. Our somewhat limited resources can be better used.

I still think the breast cancer analogy was inaccurate and unprofessional. I expect more from highly placed medical pros.

Yvonne, Quite the buzz-kill there. First I have heard of that.

Just to clear things up. Folks: If you even think you might need testing ... you do.

Mick, not to beat a dead horse--I see your point-Monogamous marriages are not as monogamous as some might think. Infidelity is really quite high and the other partner may not always be privy to the affair(s) and thus the increased possible risk for STD's. So who is really safe? I guess honesty and trust will be heavily leaned on here.