The cultural impact of the 'AIDS' test: The American experience

S. C. McCombie

Social Science & Medicine, 1986, vol. 23, issue 5, 455-459

Abstract: In March 1985 an ELISA test for serum antibodies to human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) was licensed for use in screening commercial blood products. Controversy over the appropriate use and interpretation of this test continues, and some public health officials in the United States have advocated different counselling strategies for high and low risk individuals with the same test results. The response to AIDS illustrates that contagion has a social definition, even in the context of Western scientific medicine.

Keywords: AIDS; HTLV-III; serological; testing; public; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1986
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