U.S. Panel Pushes For Routine HIV Tests

All Americans should get an HIV test at least once, panel says

Draft guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force indicates the panel wants to make testing for the HIV/AIDS virus as common as other annual medical tests. The panel says all Americans ages 15 to 64 should get an HIV test at least once – not just when they are considered at high risk for the virus. The test is something doctors can order with as little fuss as cholesterol or a mammogram screenings. The panel’s proposal also recommends high risk individuals be tested at least annually and all women should be tested during each pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pushed for routine screening since 2006. The draft guidelines are open for public comment through Dec. 17. (Associated Press)

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