I was reading some previous posts in here and something someone said made me wonder about and want to confirm the following...
A friend of mine told me that they automatically test one for HIV/Aids when taken to the emergency room or admited into the hospital. Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks for your time....
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
been to the ER once in 2004 (broken bones) & a bunch of times in 2005/06 (Lyme & herx symptoms).
Never got That test!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
neither did i; been there 2-3 times in last 1-2 yrs.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
Unfortunately in the last year and a-half my husband has been in the ER four times. They never tested him for that.
Maybe different states have different policies?
Posted by jtavares76 (Member # 19216) on :
I have been in the ER several times since January and was never tested for HIV.
At a f/u visit to my PCP this week, I asked her to perform an HIV test and she obliged.
Results came back in 3 days.
I am sure you may be able to request one if you are in the ER depending on which state you live in.
JT
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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You might do a search to see if there is some group that oversees all ERs - ask if there is such a universal policy.
I would think they would need a patient's permission first.
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Posted by tickedoffjan (Member # 15944) on :
Unfortunately I too have seen my share of the emergency room this year and have never been tested for HIV. The way I understand it is that they must ask your permission prior to testing for HIV unless you sign the form that states if anyone is exposed to your blood by accident that they can test your blood for HIV and hepatitis.
Posted by JaimieB (Member # 19076) on :
I have been to the ER 5 times since June 30th nd have not been tested for anything like that. I dont even recall them taking my blood a couple of times. Then again my memory is shot to crap too.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I have never heard of any hospital doing an aids test on anyone for no reason.
They would only do an aids test if they had a reason to.
Steve
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Isn't it possible they tested us for HIV without our knowing about it??? or am I just paranoid? Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I know years ago you had to sign a paper to be tested for HIV.
I remember reading that in Medical paper some time ago.
I'm sure it still holds true.
Steve
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Let's hope so!!
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
no, an ER visit would NOT constitue auto testing for HIV
HIV testing is done only when symptoms are present and is considered in the differental diagnosis, many symptoms of lyme are similar to HIV however
Can say for myself, my OB/Gyn did auto HIV testing every 1st pregnancy visit, as part of the initial workup. He was also high risk doc with co-specialty of infectious disease
(long story, but doc thought i had lymphoma then didnt know what it was, thought TB in lymph but not that either so ended up with GREAT ob out of it anyway who saved my boys!!)
and most hospitals on Admission ONLY will ask you to sign a waiver that if an empolyee is exposed to blood or bodily fluids that you will consent to HIV testing..
this has been used by co-worker/ friend of mine who had needle stick with a blood draw, thankfully pt. was neg. for HIV
will say my LLMD had lots of labwork ordered at first LLMD appt and i was looking over the labs and HIV tesing was on there and this was not something i was asked about or gave prior consent at my appt to , thought was odd but had all labs done anyway.
have had several for pregnancys so not worried, but do (well,,did) work in healthcare so is the risk of exposure
Posted by Minnie Mouse (Member # 13642) on :
Thanks for all of your replies.
I havn't worried about having that as I just couldn't see it being a possibility but felt maybe I should check after some of my health care providers responses to my progress, or lack there of. Has had me nervous seeing their concerns.
One of my doctors felt that I should have made progress by now, but he probably hasn't even looked at my chart in years... Just the main over-seer of the clinic.. But, that got me all worried, what could be holding up my progress.
Then my accupuncturist was getting visibly frustrated because she's doing something called nuero-link on me and i seem to be holding but symptoms not improving... She's a sweetheart and meant no harm.. Just wants to see me get better.
It appears that I have mercury poisoning pretty severely and that is likely the culprit of why my numbers don't move.. Plus the fact that I cna't tolerate the lyme treatment doses going up..
I'm going to see a mercury free dentist next week. And, gonna get the other testing next mont just to be certain...
this is more info than you probably needed and wanted but thought i'd explain why I asked and now that i've typed it, I'll just leave it, lol.
Thanks again, so much...
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I've never been tested for HIV at the ER.
However, during both pregnancies my ob/gyn wanted to do testing.
I refused because I was not at all at risk--no drugs, no exposure to others' blood, only one sexual partner...
Now when I started with all these symptoms and no one could find anything, a lot of people started pushing me again to get tested,
but neither my PCP nor the ER people ever did it or thought I should do it.
So I don't think they would/can do it without telling you.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)