HIV/AIDS testing doesn’t mean you’re dirty Everett

This past June, bill number H. Con. Res. 384 was introduced to Congress. This bill proposes a National day of HIV/AIDS testing and education. There is a bizarre stigma attached to HIV/AIDS testing. Just because you choose to educate yourself about disease transmission and learn your status does not mean you are promiscuous and dirty. People remaining ignorant about their status and practicing unsafe sexual practices are a major factor in the rise of HIV/AIDS cases.

August 6, 2008 5:00 am

This past June, bill number H. Con. Res. 384 was introduced to Congress. This bill proposes a National day of HIV/AIDS testing and education. There is a bizarre stigma attached to HIV/AIDS testing. Just because you choose to educate yourself about disease transmission and learn your status does not mean you are promiscuous and dirty. People remaining ignorant about their status and practicing unsafe sexual practices are a major factor in the rise of HIV/AIDS cases.

The current population of the U.S. is 303, 824,646; 1,185,000 of them have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. A day devoted to HIV/AIDS testing and education can only improve the current situation and drive down the number of people infected.

Surprisingly, there are people in the U.S. who do not understand HIV/AIDS or how it is transmitted. Prevention is key in reducing HIV/AIDS. I encourage everyone to write to Congressional Representative Rick Larsen at 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 9F, Everett WA 98201 and urge him to support this bill. Currently, this bill has no opposition or criticism; and how could it?

Hailey Gallo McGuire