Kid's STD tests startle
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A 5-year-old girl was given HIV and syphilis screening in a hospital in southern city of Guangzhou last month - all because she accidentally swallowed a bent needle, Xinhua reported yesterday.
After a marathon testing of 217 indicators for more than 30 hours at Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center, Long Ying naturally excreted the needle, a day after she was sent to the hospital for treatment, the report said.
"It is hard for me to accept that a five-year-old child was demanded tests for syphilis and rheumatoid arthritis," said Long Ying's father Long Qingsong.
Long Ying was sent to the hospital early May 9 but discharged at 10am the next day after her father paid the hospital more than 3,000 yuan (US$439) for a long series of tests, including an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with general anesthesia adopted.
Gong Sitang, vice president of the medical center, said the tests were done to ensure the safety of Long Ying, because the 3-centimeter-long needle seemed likely to puncture her organs.
"We've done everything for an emergency surgery in case the needle punctured her organs," Gong added.
Gong further explained that tests for HIV and syphilis protect patients and keep both the hospital and blood source safe, because children are not immune from the diseases.
Liao Xinbo, Guangdong deputy health director, said children should be tested for HIV only if they were in close contact with it.
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