Drug Resistant HIV Strain in NYC

[wabrams]

Lisa N:

I suggest treating this STD like we used to treat “VD” when I was in high school. Someone is diagnosed and the physician reports it to public health. Public health contacts the infected person and requests that they report their sexual partners who are then notified and given the opportunity for testing or at least warned of the potential that they have been infected.

This is precisely what happened to a close relative of mine who happened to be dating a man who was not faithful to her. He was diagnosed with gonnorhea. She was contacted by public health, tested, confirmed that she was indeed infected and she was treated. This not only helped stop the further spread of the disease but allowed her to be treated before there were serious consequences. I do not know if the model can be followed with HPV because it can be difficult to diagnose. But I do think we need to consider the old public health model and at least make an attempt to stop the epidemic of these STDs

Lisa N

I can agree with yuo on this model. At least with HPV, you could be notified that you might have it if one of your partners definately has been diagnosed.

 

[Lisa_N]

wabrams:

I can agree with yuo on this model. At least with HPV, you could be notified that you might have it if one of your partners definately has been diagnosed.

Certainly Public Health can allow the reporter to remain anonymous and would certainly have to keep the contacts information confidential. If the contact decides NOT to get tested or treated, well there is little that the state can do to force the issue. OTOH I think many people would want to know so that they can be tested/treated as soon as possible.

Unfortunately even people who really SHOULD be informed of the positive status of a person are kept from this information. Doctors for example have NO right to know if the patient whose blood will be all over during surgery is HIV/Hep positive. One of the doctors I work with contracted Hep from a drug addict. Of course we were not allowed to know BEFOREHAND that he was positive.

Lisa N