A Toronto judge is about to sentence Vincent Walkem for infecting a lover with HIV. Walkem ignored orders of health officials requiring him to notify his lovers of his condition. Eight years ago he infected his lover who was 18 at the time. Walkem refused to inform her or another woman he put in harm's way.
The fate of Vincent Walkem is not particularly significant. If any good is to come out of this trial, it is the warning of Toronto doctor Brian Cornelson that upwards of one in four people who are HIV positive don't know it. This, according to Dr. Cornelson, plays a big role in the recent increases in the spread of the disease.
Dr. Cornelson advocates universal testing of all residents of Canada to identify those with the disease and make a serious reduction in the spread of HIV. While there is no cure for the disease, modern medicines can greatly extend a victim's useful life and these drugs are known to be more effective the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins.
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