The World Health Organization has returned its attention to one of the most frightening viruses and one of the most deadly diseases known to man, namely the HIV virus and AIDS. The study conducted by the World Health Organization has concluded that a combining universal voluntary HIV testing with antiretroviral treatment after the diagnosis of HIV has been established may very well reduce cases of HIV in an epidemic by 95%, in an estimated period of 10 years.

The plan is to test all people who are aged 15 or older, every year, for HIV. After they are diagnosed, treatment with antiretroviral drugs is to be started immediately.

The purpose is to decrease mortality among those who have already been infected and try to contain the epidemic to the regions where the population is most at risk, and then attempt to tackle said contained epidemics. Following this measure, ART will be made available to all who need it. Afterwards, those receiving ART will be the focus of help and support. The last step, and also the most important, is to completely eliminate HIV and AIDS, as those who are still receiving the treatment will eventually die of old age or other afflictions.

There are, of course, many other prevention methods that can be applied, yet the plan developed by the World Health Organization is thought to be the most effective. The key to its functioning, however, is the universal voluntary testing. Te problem is that the method might reduce overall morbidity and mortality, or it might lead to excessive testing, treating and even interfere in a patient’s choice of medical care.