Get tested and stop HIV/AIDS

Health officials informed parents and students of Normandy High School in suburban St. Louis that up to 50 students may have been exposed to the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

Health officials had learned of the possible outbreak from a person who tested positive for HIV. They are barred from giving more information on the person’s identity and how the exposure might have occurred.

They would not say whether the HIV-positive person was a student or connected in some way with the school. They did say the infected person said that as many as 50 students may have been exposed.

The possibilities for exposure include intravenous drug use, piercings, tattoos, and sexual activity.

School district officials have sought assistance from national AIDS organizations to help minimize the negative impact and possible stigma on the students and to prevent further infections from spreading.

There are 1,300 students at Normandy High School. Health officials are testing the students on a voluntary basis at six stations in the high school gymnasium. Tests are done one class at a time, and only health department representatives are present.

The health workers offer educational materials on HIV/AIDS to the students and invite them to ask questions. Students are then asked if they want to be tested with a mouth swab. It is up to them to accept or decline.

No one can force the students to take the test.

The physical arrangements are such that only health workers — and nobody else in the school — will know who got tested or not. The school district will never be told whether there were students infected or how many.

If any student tests positive, the health department officials will discuss the matter directly with the teenager. This will protect the student from being stigmatized. No one else will be told — not even the parents although the student may still be a minor. The parents will be informed only if the child agrees.

Some parents do not like this official reticence but that is the law. Under state and federal laws, health officials are authorized to reveal the results of HIV testing only to the individual. It will be up to the individual to decide who else will be informed.

Parents are urged to encourage their children to undergo the voluntary HIV mouth swab testing.

The earlier an individual knows about his/her HIV status, the sooner interventions can be done and the better the chances of a good outcome. There is yet no cure for HIV/AIDS but effective treatments are available.

Safety Tip:

* Get tested. If you think you have the risk factors, it is in your best interest to have the test and know for sure.