Testing teens for HIV

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - In the fight to stop the spread of AIDS, there's a new and likely controversial recommendation for testing teens.

The American College of Physicians announced on World Aids Day a new recommendation for HIV screenings after age 13.

That seems early and unnecessary to some, but not to Portsmouth's Ladeana, who became sexually active in the eighth grade. That same year she tested positive for HIV.

"I just fainted and when I woke up I started crying and I cried for like two months straight because I couldn't believe it. You think those things can't happen to you and it does."

The ACP's recommendation is for everyone, regardless of their risk. Pediatrician Robert Fink suspects this will be controversial.

" I do feel comfortable asking if they'd like to be screened, the problem is sometimes when asked it's felt to be accusatory or suspicious."

Doctor Fink says right now his practice only tests Children who are at risk; those who have a sexually transmitted disease or who have asked for birth control. He says that's four or five patients a year out of 4,000.

"My guess is we probably wouldn't pick up any (more HIV positive patients) but we don't know that," said Fink.

Ladeana says she wouldn't have known, had she not gone to a clinic for birth control.

Nine years later, she wonders if she'd even be alive, "I'm glad I did go because life is beautiful and there's nothing like life."

The American Academy of Pediatricians has not yet responded to the ACP recommedation.