Eight-year hell after Aids error

[capt_buzzard]

A man spent eight years preparing to die of Aids after being wrongly diagnosed as HIV-positive.
Jim Malone, 56,a former US army clerk,lost weight,grew so depressed he could not work and was provided with home nursing ect.
A testing firm in Califonia wrongly diagnosed him in 1996. A clinic in San Franisco which checked the test spotted the mistake but failed to tell Mr Malone. The error was finally spotted in a computerised review. He now plans to sue,and if successful could expect millions for the lost of his eight years.

[Peg]

I hope he wins his lawsuit and wins big. I also hope he now enjoys life to the fullest.

[Tombstone]

This brings up a good question for each of us. If you were tested for a very serious ailment and it came back positive. Would you elect to have it taken again several months later just to make sure?

You read about lab mistakes all the time. Personally, I wouldn't throw in the towel until I had this confirmed.

What do say?

[Warsai]

After listening to this man's story, I think it's necessary. I wouldn't want to spend years of my life waiting to die when I find out that I'm okay.

[Bill Sikes]

One might have thought he'd realise (picture the scenario: "Hello, Mr X, I'm
afraid you've a terrible disease, and only a year or two to live".... two years
later and "???"), or that follow-up tests and treatment would have revealed
the truth. Surely in the U.S.A. someone isn't just diagnosed as being HIV+
and then abandoned???

[Tombstone]

I don't think so - but you never know. Something and someone always can slip through the cracks.

Unfortunately, the people who I knew who had AIDS declined rapidly - but this was before a real drug treatment was in place. The ones who I really feel sorry for are the ones who contracted HIV and began deteriorating before anyone really knew what was going on. (early 1980's.)

I feel sorry for this guy. But the silver lining is there.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by Tombstone

I don't think so - but you never know. Something and someone always can slip through the cracks.

Erm, no comment....

Originally Posted by Tombstone

Unfortunately, the people who I knew who had AIDS declined rapidly - but this was before a real drug treatment was in place. The ones who I really feel sorry for are the ones who contracted HIV and began deteriorating before anyone really knew what was going on. (early 1980's.)

I feel sorry for this guy. But the silver lining is there.

Yup.... I wonder how he felt just having learnt that his number was not yet
up, and before thoughts of revenge....

[Tombstone]

Thought cycle for this guy?


Elation! .... Utter anger! .... I'm gonna be rich!

[Peg]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

One might have thought he'd realise (picture the scenario: "Hello, Mr X, I'm
afraid you've a terrible disease, and only a year or two to live".... two years
later and "???"), or that follow-up tests and treatment would have revealed
the truth. Surely in the U.S.A. someone isn't just diagnosed as being HIV+
and then abandoned???

I imagine it happens more than we know. If he didn't have medical coverage, the doctors, hospitals, labs, etc. aren't going to be to concerned.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by Peg

I imagine it happens more than we know. If he didn't have medical coverage, the doctors, hospitals, labs, etc. aren't going to be to concerned.

Ah. I'd forgotten about that. In Britian, a diagnosis such as this would lead to
the patient passing along a "conveyer belt" of various further diagnostics and
treatments.