Testing for AIDS

Food handlers and in some states health care workers are screened annually for contagious diseases. It may be expensive, but given the costs of dealing with AIDS, the time has come for universal AIDS testing, not only of health care providers, but of everybody who is sexually active or exposed. Periodic, maybe annual, testing should be free. The results would give accurate data about prevalence and other epidemiological data, which are at present gross estimates. The efficacy of preventive measures could be directly assessed. Also, fear of contagion could be reduced, but not eliminated, so that when Jane meets Dick, or Peter likes Paul, they can see each other’s “green card” and make an informed decision.

Up to now, the secrecy and “confidentiality” given to AIDS has seemingly made the epidemic worse; all information about AIDS--including who has it--should be in the public domain. Any measure that reduces the rate of new infections helps control the epidemic. The protection of the innocent, who are in the majority, at least for now, has to come first.

ELIAS AMADOR, MD

Chief of Pathology, King-Drew

Medical Center, Los Angeles