With highest rate of cases, Navy sees HIV infections rise

[Blue_Tires]

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

The good news: The virus that causes AIDS is more treatable than ever - and with treatment, individuals infected with HIV can live into old age.

The bad news: The Navy's HIV infection rate has been rising for a decade and is significantly higher than any other military branch. In 2008, the Navy discovered 36 HIV cases for every 100,000 sailors tested - more than double its 1999 numbers.

Officials say they don't know why the Navy's rate is on the rise.

Dr. Rick Shaffer, a retired Navy physician who heads the Department of Defense's HIV/AIDS effort in San Diego, said military

personnel are less scared about HIV now than they were at the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

Their attitude reflects that of society at large. If people are less fearful of contracting the disease, or more confident it can be controlled, Shaffer said, they may be less inclined to use condoms.

One thing is certain, though: Military personnel with HIV have access to individualized, long-term care that often lasts well beyond retirement.

The Navy says it does not calculate the cost of treating HIV-positive sailors. However, it has cited a study that estimates the cost of a year's care at $14,000 to $37,000. So in 2008, caring for about 560 infected sailors, the Navy likely spent $7.8 million to $20. 7 million.

There are also career implications for the sailors. Once diagnosed, they can't serve on sea duty or be stationed overseas.


Read more: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/highest-rate-cases-navy-sees-hiv-infections-rise

[Captain Hilts]

1. More opportunities for sex with foreigners than other services? Just guessing. nt

[Bigmack]

2. Actually.. no offense to the squids and rustpickers out there....

but, by my observations in the distant past, those guys would fuck anything!

[harmonicon]

3. well, I don't think the term "like a sailor on shore leave" came about...

just because it sounds catchy.

What a shame though. Why more isn't being done to ensure that these folks have the best education in the world about protecting themselves from this is beyond me.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Sailors don't really act like that nearly as much as they used to. More are careerists...

more are older, more are better paid and more are married. These factors, in varying degrees, combine to lower the amount of that kind of behavior compared to the past. Much more, evidently.

[bigworld]

4. Lets just get this out of the way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

[ShortnFiery]

5. Now that's one big Boat Club.

:evilgrin:

[Captain Hilts]

7. My dad, retired Navy captain, thought this was a riot. Even after we explained the gayness of it.nt