VA patients testing positive for HIV grows to 3

4/17/2009

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that three patients exposed to contaminated medical equipment have tested positive for HIV in follow-up exams.

The VA said Friday that unverified tests show one patient each from its Murfreesboro, Tenn., Augusta, Ga., and Miami medical facilities have the virus that causes AIDS. It previously reported one positive HIV test but didn't identify the facility where the patient had been treated.

The patients are among thousands getting blood tests because they were treated with endoscopic equipment that wasn't properly sterilized and exposed them to the body fluids of others.

The VA also said there have been six positive tests for the hepatitis B virus and 19 positive tests for hepatitis C at the three locations.