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False HIV Positive Nearly Fatal for Georgia Teen
18 Jul
Summary
- Teen discovered positive HIV result via patient portal.
- Clinic's failure to notify led to suicide attempt.
- Follow-up tests confirmed a false positive diagnosis.
A Georgia family narrowly averted tragedy when their teenage daughter discovered a positive HIV screening result via an online patient portal. The clinic, Pickens Urgent Care in Decatur, reportedly failed to notify the family directly about the test. This oversight led the distressed teenager to attempt suicide, believing her life was over.
Following the incident, the family pursued additional testing at different facilities. These subsequent tests consistently returned negative results. A nurse at an HIV clinic advised the mother to investigate further, suggesting the initial result might be a false positive. Extensive online reviews revealed numerous complaints about the clinic's care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the importance of prompt, confidential notification for positive HIV results to ensure patients receive timely care and support. The family claims this protocol was not followed. They allege the clinic only contacted them after media inquiries were made.
Urgent care centers in Georgia, like in most states, lack specific licensing, with oversight often falling to individual medical professionals or affiliated hospitals. The family hopes their experience will prompt greater awareness and prevent future harm to other teenagers.
