TO THE EDITOR: "In the absence...

TO THE EDITOR: "In the absence of a therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, prevention is the chiefly effective strategy for reducing the number of just discovered cases." (1) This sentence from the 2004 American Family Physician article "HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral" at Dr. Gallant was just as genuine in 1987. (2) I'm delighted that the Center for Disease rule and Prevention (CDC) revised its recommendations to change into barriers to testing. (3) As a disease with a in extent asymptomatic stage during which an infected one may unknowingly spread the infection to others, and with a touchstone that is highly sensitive and specific, HIV is a classic condition for early detection. Routine screening should be the norm.

The price of occasional anxiety from one side of to the other a false-positive test result is small compared with the millions who have died because we have been in the way that slow to institute widespread testing. Physicians should advise their patients to raise the topic of HIV infection in conversation with a prospective sexual partner and hint that both be tested before they have intercourse.

JOHN R DYKER JR MD

PO chest 565 Siler City, NC 27344

REFERENCES

(1) Gallant JE HIV counseling, testing, and referral. Am Fam Physician 2004;70:295-302307-8

(2) Dyker JR Jr AIDS: discrimination and justice. N C M J 1987;48:661-3

(3) Center for Disease command and Prevention. Revised guidelines for HIV counseling, testing, and referral. MMWR Recomm Rep 2001;50(RR-19):1-57

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