
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 3, 1993                   TAG: 9307030167
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

OFFICIALS MAY ISOLATE THOSE WITH HIV

State health officials and AIDS advocates voiced concern Friday that the criminal charges filed against three people accused of having unprotected sex while knowing they have the AIDS virus may dissuade people from being tested for the disease.

"Most people who find out they are HIV-positive won't continue to engage in risky behavior," said William A. Harrison, public relations specialist for the state Health Department's sexually transmitted diseases-AIDS unit.

But he said the department, while charged with protecting a person's confidentiality, also is obligated to protect the public health.

State law gives the department the authority to "isolate" someone with any type of communicable disease - including AIDS - if the person's behavior is threatening the health and safety of others.

Harrison said the person deemed a threat may be "isolated" either in their home or an institution - even prison - for up to 120 days, under state law. The time may be shortened only after a hearing before the state health commissioner or a judge. An electronic monitoring device may be used to enforce the isolation.

"To my knowledge, that has never happened in the state of Virginia," Harrison said.

While results of AIDS tests taken at local health departments or specialized clinics are confidential, privacy is assured at special "anonymous testing" sites throughout the Commonwealth.

Harrison said people tested at those locations do not have to give their names - "In fact, most give a fake name." The results are not reported to health officials.

Information about anonymous testing sites may be obtained by calling the Virginia AIDS Hotline at (800) 533-4148.

by CNB