Should periodic HIV testing become mandatory for everyone?

Supposedly a large number of HIV positive people don't even know their infected. Perhaps this law would help curb and contain the spread of the virus when more people become self-aware of their condition?

Oh and another thing, you wouldn't have to worry about any expenses. All that would be taken care of.

Perhaps doctors should test all their patience during their annual check-up for STDs. It might slow the spread of all kinds of diseases that are spread by sex. The tests could be covered by government. Treating one person is cheaper then treating whole families or lots of sex partners or running a hospice

Most people are well aware of AIDS and other STDs, and most people have at least some knowledge of safe sex practices.

What's causing STDs to spread is the lack of real education regarding safe sex practices (abstinence-only education in schools) and the easy willingness on the part of large numbers of people to think the rules don't apply to them.

Even if we required everyone to get periodic STD evaluations, which seems very problematic in free societies, what then? Would you rely completely on people's good will to be responsible and not pass it on. Would their results be made public, or would their privacy be respected?

1 in 4 Americans has an STD. Simply practicing safe sex every time would drastically reduce this number, but people think that they are somehow immune to the odds.

Considering that I'm not doing a single thing that could make it possible that I'm contracting the virus (not having sex, not using drugs, not having unsafe blood transfusions, etc.) I'd be very offended at this. Unless there's some new way that HIV can be spread that I'm not aware of, it's pretty easy to avoid if you use common sense.

Bhappy's idea sounds pretty good though, as long as you're not charged extra for it.

Bikerchick brought up a good point I haven't thought of. This is a good idea for people who are getting married. I'm still not sure about making it mandatory though. And I think they already check for diseases when they take blood donations.

Well, Bikerchick's answer disappears after I reference her. That's weird.