Comments about ‘HIV rates increasing in Salt Lake County’

Hello. HIV rates are not increasing because there is a "lack of conversation" about HIV. Get real. HIV rates are increasing due to increased sexual activity that leads to the transmission of the disease. End of story.

There is a very simiple way to avoid HIV and AIDS. Don't engage in activities that expose you to the disease.

If the cost of testing is a concern, some places occasionally offer free testing. Information on this can be found by searching "free HIV testing in Utah."

The initial test is a simple mouth swab with results available within minutes. Confidentiality is a great concern and is protected to the fullest extent possible and, often, counseling is offered on site.

Knowing about and testing for HIV/AIDS is not about being sexually active - it is about the ability to live a long and full life.

For News Flash @ 6:20
Your ignorance jumps off the page of your post. You like using code for same-sex activity. What activity have millions of babies in Africa engaged in to warrant this horrible disease? What activity did Ryan White engage in to die as a teenager? What activity did the person infected with a blood transfusion engage in to become infected? You equate this terrible disease with certain sexual activity. You assume there is only one way to contract HIV. If you are that ignorant I think you need to attend a few seminars or do some research. Show some compassion for infants if you cannot find it in your heart to show compassion for anyone else. You must feel so special that God has set you apart to stand in judgement of others.

the spread of any desease is unfortunate, especially to those who contract it and to those who care about them.

the thing that differentiates STDs is that you have to go out and get them, they don't come to you, except in the rare cases of an innocent spouse or rape victim or some-such, so you cannot call the majority of those who contract it "victims".

some in the article tried to blame abstinence-based sex-ed. false blame passing there - if they had observed what they were taught, they would not have the STD.

who is paying for the $1500 - $2000 per month in anti-virals for those who engaged in sexually irresponsible behavior? everyone who pays for health care. it's pure selfishness on the part of the sexually irresponsible.

The increase in HIV rates is directly correlated to the degenerating values in our society. Too many have forgotten that illicit sexual activity, as well as the use of illegal narcotics, leads to tragic consequences. The reason HIV is increasing in frequency is because the old fashioned values that made this Country great are under constant attack. If more people would practice these values of chastity, morality, moderation, and temperance, the HIV rate would decrease dramatically.

outrage 7:46, I am sorry you lost someone to this disease, that would seem a reason for you reaction. But I saw nothing in the post to which you referred dealing with same sex activity. While it is true there are too many innocent victims, the disease is spread mainly through irresponsible sexual activity, hetero as well as homo.

transmission through blood transfusions is almost unheard of anymore, and the innocent infants in africa have nothing to do with the spread of the disease in salt lake county - it is predominantly through sexual activity. If we can get people to behave responsibly sexually, eventually the disease can be eliminated.

Umm - perhaps before praising "old fashioned values" you should do some actual research into the values of the past. There is more than one reason George Washington is called the "Father of the Country."

Outrage | 7:46 a.m. June 29, 2009

The post you are quick to deride said nothing about same-sex sexual activity.

I'm not sure about George Washington's extra-marital activities, but I can say with certainty that if HIV existed 200 years ago, it would be just as rampant as today.

You said it, NOT News Flash. Sounds like you're feeling guilty about something.

There's a reason "lust" is called a "deadly sin", however, "anger", "slot" and "gluttony" as classed as exactly the same thing. No better and no worse.

In as much as we would help without question an individual who's had a stroke or a heart-attack caused by indulgence in the latter three categories of sin, let us also unquestioningly help anyone suffering because of sinfulness of the first type mentioned. I will leave the judging to the only One qualified for such endeavors.

everyone is pointing the finger at each other while they don't even know what is going with son or daughter in this age group.

I want to sincerely apologize for jumping to the conclusion I did. Indeed NewsFlash said nothing about same-sex activity. I should have read more carefully before responding so hastily. Please forgive me. I am a heterosexual man who just buried his brother last year and the memory of "He got what he deserved" attitude from many is still fresh in my mind. I agree that we must teach our young people the dangers of ANY sexual activity that puts them at risk has its consequences. But when humans make mistakes, let us show compassion and caring. I hope this will end the anger over my comments and the rest of people posting will be more constructive than I was. Thank you. I hope Salt Lake County will see a turn around in HIV rates so that no one has to go through what my family had to go through. God Bless.

Outrage2: sorry for your loss

"Umm - perhaps before praising "old fashioned values" you should do some actual research into the values of the past. There is more than one reason George Washington is called the "Father of the Country.""

That's quite a feat considering that most historians agree George Washington was very likely infertile, having produced no known children -- legitimate or illegitimate -- of his own.

But then again, liberal smears against conservatives generally aren't required to have a basis in fact.

"HIV rates are not increasing because there is a "lack of conversation" about HIV."


Are you implying that HIV rates increase if people talk about HIV and AIDS? There are people who are not aware of all the nuances of transmission. More conversation could save a life or 2 or 3. Less conversation doesn't appear to have any benefit.

@Lost in DC: You can also add to the list of who's paying for medical care to those who cause accidents because they choose to speed, those who get suffer brain injuries because they choose not to wear helmets while riding motorcycles, bikes, skating, skiing, etc., those who choose not to wear seatbelts. People knowingly take risks every day, with the it's not going to happen to me attitude. We all pay for that behavior also.

xscribe, thank you for the additions to the list, they are most welcome. There are many things people do and eat that add to health care costs - I have no problem with them doing it as long as it does not add to the burden the rest of us carry.

I love how so many want to blame it on everything other than what is really the main source of the problem... I think the word is DENIAL!

It does not take genius to figure this out.

It kills me how "Trendy" it has become to get on the Gay bandwagon.

The word should be "Sad", not Gay.

Paying for the sexually irresponsible? How ignorant. People get diseases for a number of reasons. And how about the fact that me as a single person has to pay taxes for the education and child care costs of the millions of Utah families who have 6+ children. How is that not sexually irresponsible?