The CDC announced new HIV guidelines recommending routine HIV testing for all patients (ages 13-64) in health care settings.
The proposal is, just as you’re tested for other routine tests at your annual physical, the HIV test would be included. One of the most startling statistics around HIV and AIDS is that a quarter of a million people in the U.S. are currently infected and don’t know it.
I think it’s a great idea! I personally went years without knowing my status. I wasn’t in any high risk group, except that I was a sexually active, single (meaning not married) female. That alone made me high risk. I am a registered nurse with over 10 years experience of working with AIDS patients. I work on a unit where AIDS is as common as Hypertension. And when it was my turn to get tested, I was scared out of my mind. But the truth is, after I tested negative, I was more dedicated to staying that way.
What I’ve found is that most people are afraid of finding out they’re positive and just hope that they aren’t. Which means nothing is really real to them. They will continue to take a chance here and there. Well one time is all it takes! But when you know that you are 100% negative, you’re more likely to not take chances. So yes, even though finding out that you’re HIV (+) will not automatically make you more responsible, finding out that you’re HIV (-) will!
HIV and AIDS is a scary subject. It truly is. The only way to truly protect yourself is by being celibate. But that’s not a choice for most today. The next best thing is to be as responsible as possible. No one should even consider going without a condom with anyone unless they had both tested negative twice (3-6 months apart). And still this guarantees nothing, because you can never know for sure if your partner is having sex with anyone else, male or female. So get tested as a couple. Open communication and a willingness to protect yourself and your partner show that the two of you have what it takes to make it in the first place.
I’m proactive on this fight against AIDS. I have a free and confidential health advice service- among other things- where I actually provide health information, counseling, and support to anyone who needs it. The service is for everyone, but I really want to focus on our young people, because that is who AIDS is hitting hardest right now. For more information about this service, go to jowajepublishing
It’s time to stand up and be accountable for our own health. Let’s be healthy and stay healthy!
Give me some feedback. What are your thoughts on mandatory HIV screenings? How do you feel about getting tested in general? Have you been tested lately?
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