Wisconsin Forums

[AJE]

I know this is off the topic of Wisconsin but I feel the case could just as well be here.

Soldier hid his HIV status, charges say


Associated Press
July 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Military and civilian authorities have charged an HIV-positive soldier with assault with a deadly weapon, his disease.

Private First Class Johnny Dalton is accused of having unprotected sex with a teen-aged boy he didn't tell about the infection.

A spokesman for the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, says Dalton was ordered by his commander in November not to have unprotected sex after it was discovered he was HIV-positive. North Carolina law also prohibits a person infected with the AIDS virus from having unprotected sex. It also requires that sexual partners be notified.

A warrant accuses Dalton of not telling his male partner, an 18-year-old civilian. The teen's mother alerted authorities to the relationship after her son fell ill and told her about it. He has tested positive for HIV.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070717/.../hiv_soldier_1

-Wisconsin Related-

:arrow: The first case of HIV infection in Wisconsin was reported in November 1982 a 40-year-old man who had recently moved here from another state.
:arrow: Two months later, a 33-year-old man became the first state resident reported with AIDS.
:arrow: State says no babies were infected with HIV during birth in ’06
La Crosse Tribune - 7.0 : State says no babies were infected with HIV during birth in ’06

I'm curious about some feedback on this:

Not disclosing HIV status to partners from both a legal and moral perspective. How should Wisconsin judicial system handle these cases? What is your take to this dilemma as parents, friends, heathcare, co-workers, guardians, and teachers? Would you like to see this discussed begining at even a Middle School Level?

I once knew a man who flat out stated if he ever contracted HIV that he would attempt to sleep with every one he knew out of anger. That was the last moment I corresponded with this individual my thought was his intention was pure EVIL. I feel the issue needs to be addressed as if you flat out point blank murdered someone within our court system.

I would also like to see the topic heavily conversed even at a middle school level, before puberty begins for most. I didn’t have sex education until 9th grade. My parents sat down with us to discuss the subject and consequences when we showed interest in the opposite sex back in the 6th grade. Today, I know of way too many girls who were still babies themselves when they began baring children. (For example: One teenage mother from Manitowoc county was only 11 years old when she delivered her first child...today she is the mother of six at 24.) It wrenches my heart to know they won’t enjoy a normal teens life but the thought of the possibility that the child may not know the parent because of a disease just kills.

You die a slow and painful death with this disease; yes I knew people who contracted the disease either via drug use or unprotected sex. Although I feel bad for those whom are now living with HIV/AIDS, I’m so thankful it’s not me!

:idea: Motto to live by: “better to be wise and think with your mind than your hormones. Protect yourself always, for one moment of desire could be your death.”