Saturday 4 July 2015

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURE OF YOUR HIV STATUS



WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT
SURE OF YOUR HIV STATUS
Globally 9 out ten infected people do not know they carry the virus, this is disturbing because early detection in most cases is the difference between life and death.
                         The first question an individual must ask his or her self is:
Ø  What is my HIV status?
Ø  my previous status was negative, have I engaged in any risky behavior that could compromise my initial status?
Nearly everyone I know was afraid of the outcome on their first HIV test result, so if you are feeling scared, it is completely normal and not out of place. Knowing your HIV status is very important as it helps you to make the correct decisions about your life.
Another critical question is

Ø  When should I get tested?
Most people get tested for the very first time when they are about to get married, this is wrong! There is no guarantee that the results that came back negative before the wedding will not change after the six months window period. It is important for partners willing to pursue a relationship to discuss their HIV status before committing to the relationship.
Regular testing is a necessity for individuals having unprotected sex and for persons with multiple sexual partners.
So when you are not sure of your HIV status, the most intelligent thing to do is to walk into a testing Centre and get yourself tested.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TEST
RESULT IS POSITIVE
A HIV positive test result is not a death sentence, many HIV carriers are alive and doing very well decades after they tested positive. Advances in medical science has ensured that HIV positive individuals live a normal life as much as possible.
Most test centres have trained and qualified counsellors who will guide the individual on appropriate lifestyle changes to make where necessary.
Networking among HIV positive individuals have been shown to positively affect the lives of HIV carriers, these networking programmes have not only improved the quality of life among people living with HIV, it has also boosted self-determination and personal development of people living with the virus. Therefore getting involved with the activities of these groups will be highly beneficial to anyone who tested positive.

Taking drastic decision after testing positive can have devastating effects; it is therefore advised that persons who tested positive seek counsel before making major lifestyle changes.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TEST
RESULT IS NEGATIVE
When the result of a HIV test is negative, it is usually advised that the individual returns after some months for a repeat test. A repeat test is carried out to confirm the result of the initial test. The period between infection and the detection of antibodies within the blood stream is usually referred to as the Window period. During this period antibodies against the HIV virus are not detectable as such the test are usually negative.
A negative result after a confirmatory test does not mean the individual is immune to the virus, it only confirms the fact that the individual is not infected with the virus.Persons who tested negative should note that, it is their responsibility to ensure that they remain negative, as allowing any slip could be deadly. To remain negative you will find the following steps helpful
Ø  Avoid unprotected sex (Vaginal, Oral or Anal)
Ø  Avoid multiple sexual partners
Ø  Avoid injecting drug and illicit substances
Ø  Avoid contaminated sharp objects
Ø  Stay faithful to your partner
Ø  Go for medical checkup regularly
Ø  Discuss HIV before committing to a relationship
Ø  Seek counsel whenever in doubt about any issue.

Any information at your disposal that is not used is useless; it is our collective responsibility to ensure an AIDS free world.
Quote:
We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more - Bill Clinton



No comments:

Post a Comment