What is Mandatory HIV Testing?

Mandatory HIV testing is HIV testing which is mandated by law. There are a number of laws around the world which are designed to compel people to take HIV tests, ranging from laws which are meant to prevent the spread of the virus to newborns to discriminatory laws which are designed to exclude people with HIV from particular countries. The practice of mandatory HIV testing is extremely controversial, and it continues to be a topic of debate.

In an HIV test, a sample is taken from someone's blood or cheek, and tested to determine whether or not antibodies to HIV are present. It is also possible to look for viral RNA which can betray the presence of the virus in the blood even if the patient has not yet developed antibodies. If the test is positive, it indicates that the patient has HIV and is at risk of developing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

In regions where laws mandate HIV testing, people must submit to an HIV test in order to access a service. The testing is usually performed at the request of the government, in government labs or facilities which have been approved by the government. Mandatory testing is also usually paired with mandatory reporting, in which the results of the test must be disclosed to certain individuals or organizations by law.

One of the classic circumstances in which mandatory HIV testing is used is in prisons. Prison populations are at increased risk for HIV, and testing prisoners can help prison officials make decisions about where prisoners should be housed, and what kinds of medical services they may need. Testing is also done for the protection of guards and prison officials, so that in the event that someone is exposed to a prisoner's bodily fluids, he or she can take appropriate action. In some areas, hospitals and emergency responders are also allowed to mandate HIV testing in the event that employees are exposed to someone's bodily fluids, which is also done for safety reasons.

Mandatory HIV testing is required in some areas for people who want to get a marriage license, along with testing for certain other diseases. Some regions also oblige pregnant women to get tested, so that measures can be taken to prevent the virus from being passed to the baby during labor, and if women decline HIV testing, the government may mandate that their newborn children be tested for HIV.

Some of the more sinister types of mandatory HIV testing occur in regions where people who are HIV positive are not allowed to immigrate, or in countries where discrimination against people with HIV testing is legal. In these regions, employers may demand proof of HIV tests before they will hire someone, and they may choose to exclude candidates on the basis of disease status.

Some public health advocates argue that when used responsibly, mandatory testing can be a very powerful public health tool which can reduce the spread of HIV in at risk communities. Activists are concerned that such testing compromises patient confidentiality and freedom of choice.