How many of you folks have gotten tested? I know they have those tests you can buy at the drug store and mail in, right? I think everyone should test themselves.....I want to. But I'm nervous about it....hehe... It's kind of one of those things that I don't want to do unless someone does it with me... Anyway, is it a big deal to get your results? Mailing it in is simple, but do I have to drive around to different places to find out? They aren't too expensive, are they? It's not something I've ever thought about, but for some reason I did when I was in bed last night and I started freaking out and I was like, "I have to get tested NOW!" I'm kind of crazy like that...if I think about something too much, I think I have it. Like, once I was out with some friends and we were near Vanderbilt Medical Center, and all these Life Flight helicopters kept going overhead, and then I somehow convinced myself that my mom was in one of them, so I kept calling home to check on her and I begged her not to leave the house.... I'm insane. I didn't used to be like this. Having a baby caused it. Anyway, get yourselves checked! It never hurts to know!
I've been tested every year, since my husband and I split up. I also get tested for Hep C (hubby had it) and it's easy to just have them add HIV to the list. And, when I have my yearly done at the gyno, I have them check for everything, as well. I totally trust my boyfriend and believe that we are in a monogamous relationship. But, I only know, what I know... And while I don't want to think he is having sex with anyone else, there is no way to be sure. But I understand... The first HIV test is scary. I had been with a guy that was cheating on me. I was *real* scared because we didn't use condoms with each other (I was on the pill and thought we were monogamous). But, it was fine and I've been leary ever since.
I suggest getting EVERYONE tested. This way we know who has it so we don't have sex with them. They should then refrain from ever having sex again. It's a shame, I know, but this way, it wouldn't be likely to spread.
I've only done it once, it was like the longest week of my life. Before i went to the doctor I was totally comforatable with it, but the wait was excruciating. I was going over and over it in my head. Anyway everything was fine. I went to the doctor the time i did it, and it was kinda expensive. I may try that mail in thing next time. Anyway I'm sure your fine, and testing is a very good idea. Like i said the wait is terrrible, but the whole thing makes you feel kinda good too.
When my wife and I met, we both went to our own doctors and we were tested for every type of sexual transmented desiezes. We just both thought that it was something that the both of us could do for eachother. ~namaste~
haha..yeah.. i know how this is.. sometimes im doing this too.. although i can see usually how my little mind gremlins begin to build it up.. so .. but anyway..can u really buy such tests in chemists.. i agree i think it is a good idea to check.. if not only for our own sake but also for partners etc.. just never know!!! It seems that its quite difficult with testing tho.. my little cousin recently got pricked by a shringe needle left on a beach.. thankfully she is old enough to have told my aunti and they took her to hospital.. she's now hving vacinations for hep..B.. but the docs there wouldnt test her for hiv as even if it came back negative they advised it would be in her medical record for the rest of her life.. which may prevent her from being able to do certain jobs or get insurance.. the risk for her catchin hiv from the needle were low yeah.. as it doesnt live for so long outside the body.. but still i thought this was so supid!!!..
That's not true. Legally, no one can turn you down for a job because you have hiv. It's called discrimination, and if she ever gets fired because of it she can sue her employer. Go watch the movie Philadelphia (yes, it's just a movie, but it was based on a true story). The insurance might be higher, but it's better to find out if your positive and then get medicine for it rather than keep it a secret from yourself just to save a few bucks and then end up dying 20 years too early. Her chances were probably low, but the logic of her doctors makes no sense to me. -Kate
Yes, but it is SOOO easy for them to discriminate and get away with it. Heck, when I moved to Pennsylvania a few years ago, the next town over had a public pool. There was a sign hanging on the gate that said "Whites Only". Whites Only!!! In America! A PUBLIC POOL!!! Three years ago! Yes, discrimination can be gotten away with... Also, in other countries, people's "right to work" might not be so protected by law. She might be in a country that doesn't bother with discrimination.
Yes, regular testing is a good idea. I personally would never bother with buying the kit, since it's free at the gyno, at least it has been every time I've been... Tho, I've only been to planned parenthood, the local department of health clinic (they do gyno & birth control on a sliding scale, just like planned parenthood), & at the student health center at the university I go to. Frankly, I'd rather go to the department of health & get it done for free, just because I'd worry that I would find some way to screw up the do-it-yourself kit! I'm not surprised they advised against doing a test then, but I would expect that the reason would be the fact that, last I knew, they could not detect it for 3-6 months after you get the virus. They may have shortened that somewhat, but I haven't heard of any tests that can tell for sure within days... So it wouldn't be worth putting a child thru a blood draw when there is such a small chance of detecting it even if it is there... But those medical records should be sealed... Besides, why would anyone discriminate against her for being tested if it shows that she is HIV negative? If she is positive, the benefits of early treatment FAR outweigh any risk of discrimination.
... 'secret'..??? .. yeah i also think it would b wise to have checked her ..just to be safe.. yet she is 6yrs old.. she knows nothing of these things.. and it is only her parents n docters who will make this decision... puttin her life in possibly jepordy .. all seems a little crazy.. espesh when she is so innocent.. ya.. it is sadly so true that anyway discrimination does go on.. just because ther is a law 'banning' it doesnt mean it stops it... in som cases im sure ..it being undercover just seems to build it and make it worse.. a written law on a peice of paper wont change peoples attitudes.. just hides them a little .. bcause of fear. Even little kiddies at school have discrimination! actually i remember once i was waiting at a bus stop in a tiny village .. far from anywhere really.. n i overheard a little boy of about 8 say with som kindov bravado to his friend ..that he 'haated niggers' .. probably he'd never met or even seen any black pepol b4.. mad!! ... oopz ..i deviated out a bit there!!
OK, so maybe I'm just reading this wrong... But how is "putting her life in possible jeopardy" in the present tense? Her life was put in jeopardy when she stepped on a needle. Being tested is not something that will put her life in jeopardy -- knowing that she is negative will allow everyone to stop worrying. On the small chance that she is positive, knowing will allow her to get early treatment, which will extend her life span, and possibly prevent transmission to anyone else (for example, when she is a teenager & ready for sex & thinks "I'm a virgin, how could I have any diseases, I can't give him anything").
I think we should all get together and have a testing party! Or, we could at least get our friends at home to do it. I think it would be fun. It's not very often that you get the opportunity to actually be productive in any way at a party...well, besides reproductive.... I think it would help make it less awkward. And you don't have to let everyone know your results...the party would just be for the actual test taking part. I don't know. I probably don't have enough friends to have a party....*sniffle*
yes yes yes... this is exactly what i was meaning.. haha.. im sorry ..sometimes i think im really bad at explaining things. For all these reasons..i think at som point they should test her.. just so she would know either way. Im sure she will be fine anyway.. but i thought for a doc to say 'ah its not worth doin the test..' for the sake of som stupid insurance in her far off future, was a little irresponsible of him.. but thats all..
