Officials debate HIV testing
bill
By Sara Fisel
Staff Writer
City officials have varying opinions about a new
bill proposed in Congress that would make HIV testing standard, but
not mandatory, for pregnant women.
Sen. Patricia Miller of Indianapolis says the test
could protect the health of a woman's unborn child.
Currently, various tests are run throughout a woman's
pregnancy, including tests for complete blood counts, anti-bodies, rubella
and glucose. Pregnant women are also routinely tested for syphilis and
hepatitis B.
Women are given the decision to have an HIV test
for their unborn child, but the procedure is not standard.
Recognizing that the mother is HIV positive in
an early stage could reduce the risk of the baby contracting this deadly
virus. Several steps can be taken to reduce the risk of transferring
HIV to an unborn child. The mother could use the drug AZT during pregnancy
and delivery or have a cesarean when the baby is born. Another precaution
for preventing HIV is through formula feeding, which eliminates the
risk of transmission through breast milk.
West Lafayette mayor Sonya Margerum feels that
HIV testing is OK; however, she feels there is the chance of a violation
of privacy toward the mother.
She said, "When the test is done, this information
can become public and this hurts the person." The mayor feels that HIV
testing should not be required. "I hope that women that were in doubt
about their health would get the test done on their own," Margerum said.
Nancy Maylath, the director of Purdue's Student
Wellness Office, said making the HIV test standard is much better than
making it mandatory.
"When things are made mandatory, I have lots of
concerns because who is going to pay for this funding?" said Maylath.
Maylath agrees that standard HIV tests would be
a good idea for pregnant women. "There have been studies done that show
treating the infant early can secure a better outcome for the child.
"Doctors can begin administering a course of drug
therapy for the mother, be more cautious during the birthing process
and provide earlier treatment for the infant," Maylath said.
"This bill is more about getting physicians more
aware of risks and doing more educating," she said. "There will be more
health care providers to inform and offer testing. The sooner we find
out the mother is HIV positive, the better it is for everyone."
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