Monday, October 29, 2012

Cheap colour change tests for HIV are being developed

This is good for poorer countries which need tests but cannot afford them.
What brief news reports have not space to mention and discuss is that if this were available on the internet or from a doctor the public could test themselves without having the record on their medical records or sent to an insurance company or employer.
The NHS is likely to object because people might get suicidal if not told in person by somebody who can help deal with the reaction - or demand a re-test if the level of false positives is high. But another advantage would be people could ask potential dates or mates to take a test in public before getting involved physically and emotionally which would cut down infection rates. As we have cures or treatments to prevent, alleviate, if not eliminate, many diseases and ones which take over when your immune system is low, that must be good for the long-term health of the majority of patients as well as their partner or potential partner. It might even save the NHS the cost and time of testing people.
Currently some US states require medical tests before marriage to protect the unborn child. Also have what used to be called VD was a grounds for annulment of a marriage. So this save a lot of aggro when many people are infected and don't even realise it.
France requires every motorist to carry a breathaliser. One day every traveller will be required to carry a set of condoms and health check kits and use them before a relationship starts.
Anything which saves money and saves lives and relationships has to be good.

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