BMJ  2007;335:60 (14 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39269.525116.BE

Letters

HIV

HIV exceptionalism must end

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The need for HIV policy reform has again been highlighted,1 reinforcing earlier claims that HIV testing should not have special status as knowledge about HIV status can be lifesaving.2 Such opinions are seemingly ignored by the UK government and medical establishment, whereas in the United States reform is under way.

Last week's BMJ featured the cases of two apparently healthy babies who presented later with established HIV. The mothers' infection had escaped detection.3 Abolishing exceptionalism would prevent such failure by restoring named feedback. Few mothers realise the importance of this information; namely, the drastic consequences of withholding positive results. Full understanding usually arouses incredulity and anger.4

Reform must come soon—litigation costs, stigma, and fear of exposure are probably stemming a tide of legal questioning among relatives unnecessarily bereaved by late HIV diagnosis.

Such trouble was predicted in 1998,5 yet nine years of General Medical Council and BMA inaction have passed . . . [Full text of this article]

Martin F Brewster, retired general practitioner

Wigtown DG8 9DZ

forrie@brewsterweb.co.uk


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