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HIV awareness; next steps
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system which is transmitted through infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Medical professionals discuss information about HIV and the process Soldiers must take if they test positive for HIV at Fort Carson.
The DOD policy requires all Soldiers to be routinely tested for HIV “every 2 years unless more frequent screenings are clinically indicated.” HIV screenings are usually conducted during the periodic health assessment, an annual evaluation of a Soldier’s medical readiness status.
“Active duty Soldiers who become infected with HIV will be notified then they will be case managed by public health medically from that point forward with their career in the Army,” said Erin Cuninngham, Registered Nurse at Fort Carson, a public health nurse and HIV program manager. “Their company commander is aware of their test status and they go down to San Antonio twice a year for medical appointments and they have to stay fit for duty to stay in the Army.”
Service members who become HIV positive receive a non-deployable status; however their position in the Army could be adjusted to an administrative role.
“HIV is like any other chronic illness, so maintaining your health, attending all of your appointments and taking your prescribed medicine you then won’t be very limited as a Soldier with HIV. You have a lot of options and we’ve come a long way in terms of treating HIV,” said Cpt. Anthony Nicholson, a Divarty Physician Assistant.
Generally, DOD prohibits involuntary separations solely for being HIV positive and Soldiers will stay in the Army as long as they are able to perform all of the duties their job requires. However, they must meet the medical retention standards of AR 40-501 to be eligible for reenlistment.
“Anybody who engages with high risk behavior by having multiple sex partners without using protection or have overall exposure to HIV, then you should consider Prophylaxis,” said Cuninngham. “Prophylaxis is highly effective and the two types taken to prevent HIV are Truvada and Descovy which is a daily pill which is available free of charge to service members.”
Prophylaxis or preventative healthcare consists of measures taken for disease prevention.
Measures taken to reduce the risk of contracting HIV is abstinence, using condoms while having sex, taking preventative medications, getting tested for HIV or other STDs regularly, and talking to your sexual partners about HIV and STDs.
“HIV is not a career ender in the Army nor is it a death sentence,” said Cuninngham. “Stuff happens, whether you were engaged in high risk behavior or you got a tattoo, we will keep you healthy at Fort Carson.”
Contact the public health clinic at Fort Carson for information on the available preventative healthcare or to make an appointment at 719-526-9929.
For more information on HIV prevention visit https://www.cdc.gov/hiv.
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2021 16:06 |
| Story ID: | 401074 |
| Location: | FT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, HIV awareness; next steps, by SGT Woodlyne Escarne, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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