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To: DPMD
So, if 1 in 5 gay recruits in the new military had HIV, and, given the bleeding that occurs in combat, we should be able to cripple the military in very short order. And we can use most or all of the VA’s funding to treat HIV and AIDS. Eliminate certain recruiting standards, relax certain boot camp training procedures, and we’ve found a perfect way to give gay men free treatment for life.

I believe that the military is checking for HIV status as part of a routine medical screening before induction and rejecting the infected, but that might be deemed "discrimination" in a future gay friendly military.

I don't think that bleeding from wounds will cause a lot of HIV infections; but the perception of risk would certainly inhibit contact with men of uncertain HIV status which might inhibit combat effectiveness.

Another concern is with emergency blood transfusions which are done in combat situation where FDA approved blood products are not available or whole blood is preferred. See Emergancy Blood Transfusions

99 posted on 09/24/2010 9:14:02 AM PDT by Inappropriate Laughter (Obama: Another illegal alien living in public housing)
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To: Inappropriate Laughter
I don't think that bleeding from wounds will cause a lot of HIV infections...

Why not, if infected blood splatters or spills on other people with open wounds, cuts, abrasions etc. That's why EMT and other health workers are so dang careful! They don't want to get AIDS or other blood borne illnesses.

100 posted on 09/24/2010 4:23:17 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.)
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To: Inappropriate Laughter

“I don’t think that bleeding from wounds will cause a lot of HIV infections;”

In combat, the injured don’t just bleed; they often spray or explode in blood and other bodily fluids. This presents risk for anyone in the spray radius. You might want to read the book “American Knight,” a biography of the late Col. John Ripley, USMC (Ret), who suffered two liver transplants, quite possibly the result of constantly being rained on with the blood of wounded warriors in his proximity. And they were non-HIV injured, so you can probably extrapolate the inference.

Besides, if simple bleeding is no risk, why are boxing officials, trainers and corner men required to wear protective clothing? Or detectives at crime scenes? I could go on, but you get the point.


101 posted on 09/25/2010 11:58:29 AM PDT by DPMD (~)
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