A new report from the CDC highlights the fact that as many as half of HIV positive teens may not be aware that they are infected with the virus. This is, in part, because doctors are not following universal testing guidelines - not for teens and not for adults. The 2007 study found that less than one quarter of sexually active teens had ever been tested for the virus. Given that school health requirements mean that most teenagers go to the doctor at least once a year, this represents a significant opportunity to start HIV testing early for everyone. Making HIV testing a part of a person's regular health care routine could help to destigmatize the process of being tested and help infected individuals get the help they need.

• HIV Overview
• Universal Testing Guidelines

Recent news reports have highlighted research on a possible new strategy to fight HIV. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the most effective current method for fighting the virus, would be combined with chemotherapy to target the reservoir of virus that can not be reached by current drugs. The chemotherapy is necessary because HIV likes to hide in the cells of the immune system, which is one of the reasons why a person can have an undetectable viral load for years and then have an infection resurface. New drugs could target those infected cells and destroy the reservoir of virus that makes it so difficult to fight an HIV infection. Although such treatments will probably not be available for years, or even decades, the fact that scientists have found new ways of identifying the cells that are hiding the virus opens the door to novel treatment possibilities. It will be fascinating to see how the research proceeds.

• HIV 101
• The CDC Recommends Universal HIV Testing

Happy July 4! In honor of Independence Day, I decided to give myself a little more freedom from worry by going to get my second shot in the HPV vaccine series. Other than the hassle of finding a place that was willing to give it to my over-aged self, despite the fact that most people acknowledge it's still a good idea, it was pretty easy going. In fact, I was completely surprised to find that, unlike the first shot, it wasn't painful at all! I found that to be completely bizarre since I would have imagined that whatever it was that hurt in the shot the first time would still hurt two months later, but apparently I got all tensed up for nothing. It just goes to show, you never know. What should you know? That the HPV vaccine can help protect you, or your daughters, against both genital warts and cervical cancer. Talk about a gift of independence!

• HPV vaccine 101
• Does Gardasil Hurt?l
• The HPV Vaccine For Older Women?

In a bold move, CNN reports that an organization in Swaziland is encouraging couples to go for their HIV tests together as a way to show their love - since love can be contagious and so can HIV. The campaign is a great idea, and it is truly needed. Although almost one quarter of the population of the country is thought to be HIV positive, very few individuals know their status, and testing is even rarer among men. Encouraging couples to go for testing together is a great way of not only encouraging men to be tested but dealing with the possibility of disclosure issues and will hopefully also enable improvements in treatment and other HIV support services.

• HIV 101
• Everything You Need to Know About HIV Testing