A new recommendation is sparking debate among some parents.
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends all teens 16 and older get tested for HIV.
"In areas where there are high levels of STDs, it's probably wise just to screen everyone from 16 to 18 once," pediatrician Dr. Dan Kelly said.
Dr. Kelly already urges his teenage patients to get tested for AIDS, saying it can prevent infected teens from unknowingly spreading the disease. He also says it sends a message to those who test negative. "We actually get a test and a result, and when it comes back negative they're relieved. They've had that message that it's serious business," he says.
Health officials estimate 20 percent of the one million people infected with AIDS in the U.S. are unaware of it.
AIDS groups say early testing should become standard. "The hope is that HIV testing will become more routine," said Courtney Mulhern-Pearson of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "It will become part of a standard physician visit and that people will get tested more regularly."
Still, some parent's are worried the pediatric group's recommendation goes too far. What do you think?
But the pediatric group insists many teens lie to their parents about their sexual activity, and testing is one safe route during those awkward teenage years.
As you might imagine, people are already sounding off on this story online. One person writes, "I certainly hope that they make STD testing in teens mandatory. That alone will greatly stop the spread of the diseases. If control is issued, then one day the risk of infection will be non-existent."
Another says, "As long as doctors are willing to absorb some of the cost of the test, then I don't mind their recommendations. As long as there isn't some database kept with the results that may come back to haunt these kids, fine. Will future employers turn them down for jobs because there was a chance they had a risky lifestyle? Will insurance companies be able to turn them away if they find out they are positive? These questions need to be answered before anyone just agrees with this recommendation.
Would you get your child tested for HIV? Should it become standard practice? Why or why not? Leave your thoughts below.
