Many people infected with the AIDS virus don't learn of their condition until about ten years after becoming infected with the virus, when it has already done a great deal of damage to the immune system. Not testing for HIV until late in the course of infection presents a major challenge to reducing AIDS cases and deaths. Many people that have been infected are not aware of their condition so do not take advantage of medical support. They also do not take action to prevent the spread to others.

AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. During this phase of the disease there is increased susceptibility to life-threatening infections and certain cancers.

There will always be those that argue the mother's rights over the child's. There will always be those that argue mandatory testing does not work. But, "Cusick said that Connecticut -- the only state that mandates testing -- has led the way in counseling and testing for HIV, and the studies presented at ACOG show that ‘a policy of mandatory HIV prenatal screening is achievable and desirable‘" (Susman, n.pag.).

Those who believe the mother's face discrimination if they are tested for HIV, or if their babies are tested, and found to be positive ( if the baby has the antibodies, then the mother has the virus), that she would lose her job or insurance. Fortunately, the Americans With Disabilities Act prevents this. She would have legal recourse in that instance, so this is not a valid argument to prevent mandatory HIV

Tennessee. Jesse and Jane Combs met, fell in love, married and had a baby that, along with them, tested positive for HIV, This child,

An HIV positive mother could choose not to breast feed if she were aware that she were infected. A doctor could prevent the transmission of the virus during the birthing process if he knew the mother to be positive. The antiviral therapy could be initiated while the mother still carries the baby and then given to the baby after delivery, thereby reducing the transmission rate from 25% to approximately 8% ( Woodman, 90-92).

Even when people have access to good health care the disease may go undetected until aids symptoms show up. People generally aren't comfortable talking about HIV with anyone... friends, partners, or health care providers. There is a stigma attached to HIV testing. This can be alleviated with government mandated testing.

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