Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. pharmacy (n.) [fahr-muh-see] – a place where medicines or drugs are sold
Example: He went to the pharmacy to buy a cough medicine.
2. routine (adj.)
[roo-teen] – referring to something done regularly
Example: He easily learned his
job because most of the tasks he needs to do are routine.
3. preliminary (adj.) [pri-lim-uh-ner-ee] – referring to something that happens before the main matter or action
Example: Before the interview,
there will be a preliminary exam for
the applicants.
4.
confirm (v.) [kuhn-furm] – to prove or to
show that something is true or correct
Example:
The results of the medical test will confirm if the patient has a rare
virus.
5. symptom (n.) [simp-tuhm] – a change in the body that could mean the presence of a disease
Example: Fever, sore throat and
muscle pain are common symptoms of influenza.
Article
Read the text below.
The Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has started a new AIDS testing program in drugstores.
The $1.2-million program
of the government is set to run in pharmacies
and in-store clinics in 24 cities and rural communities. The program allows customers
in these stores to avail of AIDS tests for free.
The agency hopes the
new program will become another routine
service, just like blood pressure checks and flu shots.
The test is done by
taking a swab sample from the mouth. After 20 minutes, a preliminary result will be released. Patients who have positive
results will be referred to local health service centers for a blood test to confirm the result. They will also be
advised and
treated as needed.
At several
Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chain in the US, the test is done as
privately as possible. Customers can quietly submit test request cards to
pharmacy staff and can take the test in special rooms.
Currently, an
estimated 1.1 million Americans are infected with HIV, but about 20% of them
do not know they have the disease. In some cases, symptoms appear only after a decade or more.
The CDC recommends that
all Americans aged 13 to 64 undergo HIV testing at least once, even those who
are not considered at high risk.
With
the new program, the CDC aims to train pharmacy staff to give HIV tests, which
can help in detecting the disease faster.
The agency will confirm in a year whether the program is useful for
customers.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you agree that additional check-up services should
be available in pharmacies, and not just in hospitals or clinics? Why or why
not?
·
What do you think will be the disadvantages of
these additional services inside drugstores?
Discussion B
·
How important is it to have regular medical check-ups?
Please explain your answer.
·
Why do you think some people do not want to
undergo check-ups regularly?