question #1:: do all people going into the army/navy/etc have to get tested for hiv. how about the people already in the service?

question #2:: I have a chronic disease (not hiv related) that causes me to need to get my blood taken ALL THE TIME. i have been with the same man (tested hiv negative) for over 2years now. when i get my blood taken for my disease, i get overall screenings in my blood, tests for antibodies, and all sorts of things. i do'nt think i have ever had an hiv test specifically. my real question is: does the dr have to do an HIV SPECIFIC test in order to detect hiv or does it come up in the lab in other blood tests, too. is it spotted pretty easily and is it something that they routinely look for, or do you have to have the HIV test done in order for there to be a red flag. thank you so much, and i hope i made sense.
thanks deborah

When you first sign up for the military they do an HIV test. If you are positive they won't let you in. From then on they do a test annually, unless requested otherwise. If you show positive at that time they will give you the option to stay in or get out.

The only way to know if you are positive is to take an HIV specific test. Your other labs may show abnormal if you are positive, however, no one will relate it to HIV unless you take the test.

Please share your story if you have any other questions or concerns. Everyone here shows great support and are eager to help!!!

[This message has been edited by normorcrazy (edited 07-17-2003).]