Teen Angst

Wednesday July 8, 2009

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.