|
HIV TESTING |
FAQ |
FACTS | ||
| PERSPECTIVE |
theHIVantibodyTest
What is the Test? |
Should I be Tested? |
What do the results mean? |
It is not an 'AIDS' Test. Only a Doctor can diagnose AIDS. HIV stands for The Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. You can have HIV and not have
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome),
but eventually it will progress to AIDS. This is why only a Doctor can diagnose AIDS - it
is a medical definition of the progression of HIV.
The immune system reacts to HIV by producing antibodies that fight HIV, this is what the
test detects. Thus, it is more accurately called the "HIV antibody test." Call
it what ever you like, this test is the ONLY way to be certain you have the HIV virus. You
can't tell by the way you feel, or look - there are no set of symptoms that point to it.
Only this test can tell if you have the virus.
Accurate testing for HIV antibodies requires two different tests (this is all done with
the same, relatively small, blood sample - it's only two tests in the lab). The Screening
test is called the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent
Assay) test. A Positive ELISA test is confirmed by a second test, either
the Western Blot or the IFA (Immunoflourescent Assay)
test.
The ELISA test is highly accurate, but does have some limitations. There can be both
'False Positive' and 'False Negative' test Results.
FALSE NEGATIVE Test results, indicates no HIV antibodies in a person
that does have the virus. This would be because the person has yet to
develop the Antibodies. It takes up to six months (rarely longer) after your exposure to
HIV for these antibodies to be produced. If you are tested within six months of your
exposure you may get a false negative. It doesn't mean you don't have the virus - It
doesn't mean you can't still spread the virus. It means you have not yet developed the HIV
antibodies.
This is why counselors will recommend repeating tests if they feel the risk was great
enough.
FALSE POSITIVE Test result, indicates HIV antibodies in someone that
does not have the virus.
Because of this risk - One Positive result is not
used to determine whether you have HIV. Two repeatedly
positive results on the ELISA test, confirmed with Positive Western Blot or IFA, define a
'Positive test result'.
Think of it as the best two out of three idea. If you receive a Positive test, you then
retest. If the second test comes back negative - you are Negative. If the second test
comes back Positive - then you are HIV positive. It is this second test to
confirm or deny the first result that determines if you are indeed HIV positive.
This is the only way for you to control who knows your test results.
Anonymous testing means your name is not taken and no other personal identifier is
used (like a social security number, address, or ID).
Usually, you are given a number (generated by the testing facility to identify
the test sample, not the subject) that you must present in person to obtain the results.
Most States have anonymous test sites.
In a confidential test, the results are protected information like other parts of your medical record. Like your medical record, it is protected under State Laws that provide requirements for disclosure of information (for example to insurance or employment screening). The policies of health care providers, clinics, hospitals, and State (laws) vary widely in their approach to recording HIV test results. Find out what the policies are before you get tested (counselors can inform you of these policies).
Military service, Foreign Service or Job Corps applicants undergo mandatory testing.
Blood donations are also HIV screened. Since Mandatory test results will become part of a
permanent record, you might want to receive anonymous testing and counseling first. In
many of these cases, you will only be informed of the test result if you are
Positive.
In the case of blood donation (and the drawback to many mandatory tests) only
one test is performed, and not backed by the second confirmation
test (see false positive). They record the first
result ONLY. Even if you get another test saying you are HIV negative, you will
not be able to donate blood again, because you are registered in their files as
a positive risk donor.
Testing can be done at home - I don't recommend it.
Reasons to consider Home Testing -
Be cautious when purchasing a Home testing kit.
As of January 2000 there is only ONE home test kit approved by the FDA. Home Access is the only one that is an Approved Test.
Many other kits will seem to say they are FDA approved - what they are actually saying is
that the FDA has approved the sale of Home HIV test kits.
Many do NOT provide any pre or post counseling.
Many do NOT specify what kind of test procedures they use.
Many do NOT specify what happens to your test results.
The tests (by experience) can be difficult to take and understand (Does this say I'm
positive or not? Did I do this right?) and you only get one chance to take the test - or
buy another.
Prices vary widely and are most frequently more expensive then Health clinic
prices (home test can range anywhere from $19.95 to over $50.00).
Home Access provides counseling, uses the ELSIA
test procedures used by Doctors, and is Anonymous.
If you decide to use a Home HIV Test Kit -
Plan your purchase carefully. Read up on the company and the services
they offer. Remember to chose a test you can take (if you can't draw your own blood, check
into the OraSure test which uses saliva). Make sure
you know what happens with the test results.
Take advantage of the services offered - Especially Pre and Post
Counseling.
Read the directions carefully - Read them again (make sure you understand
them completely before you begin - don't waste your money by making a mistake).
There are many things to consider before taking an HIV test. Talking with a counselor
is the best way to determine if you should. They can help you assess your risk, answer
your questions, and help you deal with the answers.
Many people look to the HIV test as some kind of solution to HIV infection. It isn't.
Counseling and the test process may provide you with information and experiences that will
help motivate and guide you in making medical, social and sexual decisions in the future.
Here a few things to consider before going to get an HIV test.
Your Family Doctor - This should be a figure you know and trust.
Someone willing to help you with any questions and concerns.
A Doctor - find a Doctor that can perform the test and help provide you
with counseling.
If a your Doctor can't provide the test, they should be able to refer you to someplace
that can.
Health Clinics - Many states offer free (or very cheap) anonymous and/or
confidential tests. At Public health sites, you may have to call for an appointment. The
wait may be several weeks long.
DO NOT test by Donating Blood, either at blood centers or during blood drives. If you are donating blood you should be aware of your HIV status BEFORE you donate. Blood is screened thoroughly - and you will be informed if you test Positive - but you may not be in control of where your test results go or get proper counseling.
This indicates the absence of HIV anti-bodies at the time of the test.
A Negative result means you are either uninfected or have
not yet developed the anti-bodies to the HIV infection. (see the notes about a 'False Negative')
A negative result does not mean that you are immune to HIV infection, or that you cannot
become infected in the future.
This indicates the presence of HIV antibodies at the time of the test. A confirmed
test result means that you have been infected with HIV and you can transmit the virus.
A Positive Test Result is NOT a diagnosis of AIDS. It means you
have the virus that progresses to AIDS. Like people with other chronic medical problems,
HIV infection has a spectrum of conditions, ranging from no symptoms to very serious ones.
Medical management provides many options in your health care to provide the best quality
of life living with HIV infection.
If your test result is Positive -
Realize - Testing Positive is NOT a death sentence. Counseling can help you put things in perspective, and assist you in dealing with fear, depression, handling of social and romantic relationships and promoting self-esteem. Professional counseling can help lessen the effect of the numerous issues that people with HIV infection may face.
It is extremely important to find a Knowledgeable, experienced, and supportive health
care provider to work with you in evaluating and managing your HIV infection.
Your health care provider can perform periodic examinations and arrange for appropriate
test to help decide what treatments and interventions you want to use. You and your health
care provider can work out a schedule of follow-up visits appropriate for you.
You can also discuss and use non-medical self-care therapies. Nutritious
diet, regular exercise, restful sleep, stress reduction, and spiritual peace (which are
important to everyone) are often more helpful for those with HIV infection.
What kind of test did you take? (Mandatory, Confidential, Anonymous,
or a Home test)
What do you want to happen to them?
Before you take the test, select the method best suited to your needs. Your needs include
Peace of Mind, Privacy, and possibly Insurance and Employment concerns. Pre-Test
Counseling will help you decide which test is best for you. After the test, what happens
to the results will be known to you - and then under your control.
In an effort to ease many concerns about testing I've asked people to share their experiences in getting Tested. Here's what I've collected so far. If you would like to contribute your thoughts - please send them to misfit@misfitslife.com
| David | Terrance | Ray | Jason | Dan |
| Anonymous 1 | Laura | |||
| Anonymous 2 | Anonymous 3 | Anonymous 4 | Anonymous 5 | Anonymous 6 |
| No Test 1 | Anonymous 7 | Anonymous 8 | Anonymous 9 | Anonymous 10 |
What made you decide it was necessary?
I met Terry through a mutual friend of ours. I had an instant attraction for him but it
was one of those, "I wanna get you in bed, just to see if I can" type
encounters. I never thought I would actually go and fall for him. Or the other way around.
I learned later about his attraction for me and we sat down and had a long talk. I fell
deep in love with him that night. He told me candidly about his past sexual experiences.
It was then I took my own sexual background into consideration, a first for me. I came to
a grand total, not bragging by any way, shape, or form, of 75 partners in the past 5
years. It was then I insisted that the both of us be tested because I didn't want to be
the death of anyone and vice versa. I also have a history with street drugs and naively
sharing needles with old using friends. While doing the in-depth sexual background check,
I took that into consideration.
What made you decide to actually go?
I decided to go when the sexual tension between he and I began to manifest itself. Say
what you must, but the little head between your legs does become a deciding factor in a
lot of things. But, it wasn't the only reason. I began having some minor health problems,
such as night sweats, fevers over 100 degrees, and persistent sinus infections that
influenced me to have the test taken. On top of that, my darling friends, the meddlers
that they are, insisted that we both do the right thing and be tested before becoming
intimate.
What went through your mind during the test?
The test was really bad for me. Physically, I was fine but I have a dreadful dislike for
needles. I chalk that up to having such a monkey on my back with my past heroin addiction.
So, add that to the fear of actually being infected and you have me in my normal state of
mind. I was also kind of downing the decor of the health clinic, being a typical bitch
that day. I had had no sleep and Terry was griping. I wasn't in the mood actually but I
wanted it to be over and done with.
Waiting for the results?
That was hard to. I had the testing done right in the middle of the holiday season. So, it
was icing to the proverbial holiday stresscake. I occasionally tried to plan my life
around the prospect of me being HIV positive. How I would exercise daily, read the latest
JAMA reports on HIV drugs, stay away from alcohol and bad foods, you know things like
that. But the thought of having to tell my closest friends about it and seeing their
reactions kept running through my mind. It was during this time that Terry's grandfather
passed away and he had to travel to the funeral in another state. So, I was left alone,
thinking about things. I had friends to go to and talk with. One of my friends is HIV
positive and his insight and the way he handles his own diagnosis somewhat inspired me to
just go with the flow and wait for what will be to be before jumping to conclusions and
making reservations to the local mental facility.
What the test was like - what the 'counselors' where like (if there where any)?
The test was actually easy and my counselor was a doll. The only bad thing about the
entire test was the needle prick. It made me wish that the cotton swab test was for free
and more acceptable. The counselor went into detail about the actual meanings of the
results with me, which was very helpful. She explained that being positive wasn't the end
of the world, that it meant that I had a reason to take better care of myself. She also
told me that a negative result wasn't a free ticket to be as sexually promiscuous as
possible. The risk is still there due to my promiscuous background.
- Was it good news or bad news?
My results were negative. This won't be my last test for awhile. I'm going to have another
screening done in May (6 months later), as suggested by the counselor. If this test is
negative, I am in the clear as long as I don't return to the risky behaviors from my past.
If it is positive, from there, I know enough now to build a strong health maintenance
plan. I am hoping that the results are negative due to the fact that I have found things
in life to live for, such as my new nephew. I want to see him grow up.
What you would have to say to anyone else thinking about it?
If you feel you have to get the test done, go get it done. It eases the stress and clears
out a path for you to make the proper decisions in your life. Don't treat a positive
result as a death sentence from God. Medicine and Science are making breakthroughs in
HIV/AIDS research that are extending the lives of those infected. Don't treat an infected
person as if they have the plague or sugarcoat them either. They are humans, with human
emotions and feelings. Would you want to be shunned or treated like a child? I think not.
So, don't do the same to them. In the same token, don't treat a negative result as if
you're ten foot tall and bulletproof. HIV and AIDS does NOT discriminate. Use cautionary
thinking in making decisions regarding sexual activity such as being responsible enough to
use protection.
Condoms do work and actually guys, ladies find it charming and attractive to see a guy
that is prepared. So do those men, ladies. And yes, the same goes in same sex
relationships. So, don't be afraid to follow the Boy Scout tradition of Be Prepared.
What made you decide it was necessary?
I think a lot had to do with the fact that I know my sexual past. I know the risk, I run.
I know from personal experiences both with losing a loved one to the infection (HIV
Related Causes) as well as the fact that I have studied both medical research and also
Nursing. It was a decision made between two persons for the most part falling in love with
each other. Neither of us felt it was fair to the other partner not to know our status.
Not that the status of the test would've changed our minds about our feelings, but it
would change our sexual lives. Yes, the chances are that we would continue to be sexually
active (as a positive test return isn't the end of the world). But, more or less how we
explored our sexual identities with each other.
What made you decide to actually go?
The commitment to each other, I would have to say was involved in my decision, and also
the fact that I have missed my "yearly" test. Actually, I am an advocate of all
sexually active persons being test on a regular basis, whether every 6 months or every
year.
What went through your mind during the test?
Gee, this is an odd question for a time period of 30 seconds. (okay I bleed really well!)
Actually, nothing was going through my mind during the actual test. Again this isn't the
first time I have had the it taken. It wont be last either.
Waiting for the results?
This is the hard part, this is the part where you start to go down that road of self
doubt...what will I do if it does come back positive. To be honest with you Bret, I
honestly don't know what I would do. I see how you have survived and admire you for that.
But I also see that you have a strong support base to reach out to and also to just have
fun with. But you see my "waiting period" had a twist that one usually doesn't
have to consider, I had a death in the family and that did help take my mind off of the
entire matter. But I also had my lover to consider in this, I had to take into
consideration his pain, his worries and more importantly his way of handling the pressure
and stress that this does bring on. You yourself know that any test that can basically
turn your life upside down is going to bring upon some form of pressure and anxiety. I
know from the last couple times of waiting on the test results I just worried about the
current day. Never really letting myself get stuck on the "What IF...." It
doesn't do you any good. You become what we shouldn't...stuck, lost and totally confused.
What the test was like - what the 'counselors' where like (if there where any)?
Actually we had this really cool nurse. She took into consideration both our sexual past,
both our personal demons that haunt us. She explained more detail to Dave what the test
meant, what the "whole" picture was as well as some other information. Remember
I've had this done several times, and I also studied a bit of medicine so I was rather
well informed. Although her and I did discuss other options open to Dave and myself in
forms of protection. By the way DO NOT TRY BANANA FLAVORED CONDOMS....sorry to whomever
makes them but Bananas don't taste like those tasted! (YUCK!) She also explained some
other forms of protection just besides condoms ... she was impressive in her knowledge of
the way to men could have an intimate relationship together...she had me embarrassed on a
few points but I was nonetheless glade for having her there.
- Was it good news or bad news?
Of course, my results were negative. So I guess it was good news for all of us. Yes this
went farther than just David and myself, it involved our closest friends. (I never tell my
parents when I go and get tested only the results. Its less stress for them.)
What you would have to say to anyone else thinking about it?
Thinking about the test? The implications of the test? Or just being sexually active?
Seriously, though if your sexually active you should be tested. POINT BLANK ENOUGH SAID.
The test takes about 45 seconds, and yes they do ask you questions about your sexual past.
Be Honest, don't hide and for crying out loud do NOT be embarrassed because you are
sexually active. Remember you are talking to someone who has to keep what you say between
you and them! Yes, it may be written down, but remember one thing only select individuals
get that INFORMATION!
If you are sexually active use protection...condoms, dental dams, don't just rely on the
old "well I can pull out method" or "well she can't give me anything"
or the greatest dumb ass statement I ever heard "Well I know if someone is
"dirty"" Speak with your doctor, nurse, or even just go on down to your
local health unit. By the way most of them will give you free protection. We would rather
have you using protection than taking chances with everyone else's lives.
Folks, there is nothing dirty about sex. There is nothing wrong with having it
safely...there is something wrong with being beyond stupid to being an ignorant fool! AIDS
is not just a gay community problem. Its not just a black, white, or even American
Problem. Its a societal problem that we are not yet winning against. Every day there are
over 1000 persons newly infected with HIV (the actual virus that causes AIDS) in the
world. Stop and think how many an hour that is, a minute, down to a second. Amazing isn't
it? Don't be stupid, Get Tested.
-Ray-
Hi, My name is Ray (a.k.a. rebus). I have a friend, he had made some really poor life
decisions. He was very concerned that these decisions may have led him to be exposed to
the HIV virus, but was adamant about NOT being tested for it. We talked about his decision
on a few occasions and his reasons for not being tested. The major reason was FEAR!! He
had side issues of sexuality (the people will think I am gay) (what will my girlfriend
think?). But basically he did not want to know whether his was HIV positive or not, he was
so afraid that he might be positive that he couldn't act to find out if he was positive.
I tried several lines of "reasoning" with him, to convince him he needed to be
tested. None of them worked. What did work was: Look I will get tested with you. This
worked! I think it worked because he knew he wouldn't have to face the test alone. He
would be with someone who cared. So we both got test and we both found out that we were
not HIV positive.
Sometimes being tested for HIV is not a matter of health, it is a matter of mindfulness.
Being mindful of my friend's fear of finding out he might be HIV positive, I offered to
face it with him. On this occasion, mindfulness worked. We both gained confidence from
this test. He gained the knowledge
that he was not HIV positive. I gained the knowledge that "just" caring enough
to be there is a often the most helpful thing we can do.
Mindfulness is the path to immortality.
Negligence is the path to death.
The vigilant never die,
Whereas the negligent are the living dead.
(The Dhammapada)
-Jason-
Here's my story:
I went because my brother was diagnosed as HIV positive. If he hadn't been, I don't think
it would have ever hit home; that this is happening to real people.
Also, I was dating a prostitute. So I went. To a free clinic. When I gave blood, it so
happened to coincide with a complete eclipse of the sun. Gravity being weird, they
inserted the needle but nothing came out. Then SQUIRT. I took it as a bad sign.
I had to wait two weeks and I was completely nervous. I just decided not to think about
it. I was sure I was going to test positive. But I didn't. I was so relieved I went to my
best friend's house and cried.
It has been a few years since that test. I wasn't really very active in that time, but I
know it is time to go again. And yet again, I am really nervous.
You can always find reasons not to go: fear, business, you can even say it is unlikely
because you've been safe. but we all need to go. Honestly, it is harder to go because my
brother is HIV positive. It's like, if I test positive, what will that mean for my family?
But then again, if I don't go, what does that mean for my life....
Anyway, short but sweet.
I would be delighted to write about my experience when going for an HIV test. Lets see
if I can remember. The first time that I decided to go for an HIV test was back in my home
town of Manhattan Kansas. I went in for a check up with my family doctor and I asked him
if while he was checking everything else if he would please run a test for the AIDS virus.
He seemed kind of taken aback and then he asked me why I thought I needed to have a test
like that. I told him that while I have not been with many people and that I always
practice safe sex that I thought it might be a good idea to have this checked out for the
sake of good health and mental peace. He agreed and ran a whole battery of tests. It was
about 5 days later when the results came back and I had always been able to find out the
results of those tests over the phone but this time I was told that I had to come to
the doctors office for him to discuss the results. At this point I was wondering if
something was really wrong and if I had not been a careful as I thought I had been. I had
to finish work and then stopped by my doctors office on the way home. I had that sinking
feeling in the pit of my stomach and was sick wondering what could be wrong that they
could not give me my test results over the phone. I checked in and only had to wait about
15 minutes to see my doctor. We had a nice chat with him almost avoiding even talking
about my HIV test. I had to ask him about them specifically and when he started to talk to
me about it he actually seemed embarrassed.
Turns out that everything was fine and that they had changed the office procedure whenever
an HIV test is involved for security of privacy. I was so relived that everything was ok.
I have had sever tests since then and whomever I talk to still seems a little embarrassed
discussing those kind of results.
It just seems funny to me since I view it as any other kind of test like for cholesterol
or sugar levels and stuff like that. And that was my first experience with having an HIV
test.
The first time I got tested, I had to go with a friend. I wanted the moral support to
help me if I actually got the virus. I was scared out of my mind waiting the week for the
results. When I actually went in to get the results the man said your negative. He handed
me reading material saying that its not actually over. It said that I should get tested
again in 6 months if I just engaged in hazardous
behavior. I just put it in the back of my mind and didn’t think about it again. I
could honestly say “I am Negative.”
Then I went to a doctors appointment to check some lumps that were around my rectum. I
looked up in a book and found vague pictures of hemorrhoids. It kinda looked like what I
could only feel. I thought maybe of sneaking into my roommates room and using his camera
to take a picture and see what they acutely looked like. I never did.
At the doctors appointment he used a probe to check out the lumps. He kept on saying
“this may feel strange” or “are you alright?” I thought to myself
“I’ve had bigger things go up in there.” After a couple minutes he
left so I could get dressed and he wanted to talk to me. When he entered into the room he
told me that it was not hemorrhoids. It was an STD called HPV, Human Paploma
Virus. He told me that it was common yet incurable. It sometimes went
away on its own. He told me that I could get cosmetic surgery but that wouldn’t get
rid of it. He also told me that I should get tested for HIV.
Those words put my fear back in the forepart of my brain. I was almost in tears. A doctor
told me that I needed to get tested for the virus. He told me that it would be a good
idea. I thought about the horrible flu I got after I got home from a trip and how much
longer it took to go away. I was and still am afraid for my life. For the results are not
back as I write this. Tomorrow I go to get my results of the HIV test. I am scared to
death. The only thing that gives me a bit of hope is two beliefs.
One of them is my sense of Fate. I am a strong believer in fate. I know that I live my
life for a reason. while I don’t know what that is, that is why I’m here. I will
die when I’m no longer needed on this earth. So in a sense if I keep my usefulness
I’ll live longer. My second belief, while sounding bad, is that HIV and AIDS is a way
to curve the overpopulation in the world. God brought down a horrible virus to tell people
that they are multiplying too much. That we don’t understand the idea of life. If I
get this virus, I believe its gods way of saying, “You now are a part of my lesson.
You will help in the getting the point to the people saying that we need to stop having
sex to procreate.”
I know that people will say that there are more gay people with the virus. My only
argument to refute this is that, “God had to use the only thing that procreates,
Sex.” With out sex the sperm can't wiggle its way into the woman and get her
pregnant. We are now going around that and cheating life by doing things the scientific
way to impregnate women. I just feel that God will take another step to make sure his
voice is heard.
This is My story. If I do or don’t have HIV is yet to be seen. I would hope that I
don’t. If I do I will make sure I do my part for awareness. Even if I’m not
positive I hope this story will help in raising awareness.
-Laura-
Not that I like to recall it, but...
I too had a “testing” experience. I can’t imagine anyone of our generation
who hasn’t. My story takes place in 1993 when I was working in a Harlem AIDS ministry
and dating a young artist with just about the lowest self-esteem of anyone I’d ever
met. Needless to say, I was madly in love with her. I had been through all the drama of
HIV testing with my gay male friends; and working, in the ministry, I’d experienced
just about every aspect of the pre-cocktail disease I could on a daily basis. But I never
really worried about contracting it myself -- as I was a lesbian, it was impossible,
wasn’t it? All the reports said that there were no known transmission of the HIV
virus from female to female partnership. So viva la labia -- I took full advantage without
concern.
Then one horrible day, I was in my office and a pamphlet came through the mail. It was
targeted at women having sex with other women who were positive. It finally occurred to
me: someone could identify as a lesbian and still have the virus. Being a lesbian was not
itself the Slomin shield. Eureka. I think, at the time, I had some kind of flu or
something. I wasn’t feeling well already; reading the pamphlet, I suddenly started to
feel faint. I mean REALLY faint. I practically fell out right there - hypochondriacal
swoon? Maybe. OR, I thought to myself -- MAYBE ITS THE VIRUS.
I started thinking about my own sexual history -- but mainly, I became obsessed with the
sexual history of my girlfriend. I remembered how she told me about a time when she was 13
and at a party. She was feeling so depressed and worthless that she got smashed out of her
mind and laid down on a sofa with her clothes off, inviting several men to have sex with
her. She didn’t care, she felt so miserable. When I asked her if she actually did
have sex with anyone there, she said she didn’t know -- she blacked out.
When I recovered from my swoon, I went home and demanded that, as a couple, we take the
test. Two days later, we schlepped to the Public Health Department in Manhattan’s
Chelsea district -- the queerest section in town (at least in 1993). We lined up, with
everyone else, in the miserable circumstances of government-run health care; bleak walls,
bleak faces. The worst of it was the wait. Two hours with only the distraction of the VCR
playing low-budget safe sex videos. My anxiety tripled from one video to the next.
Finally, when my name was called, the counselor turned out to be
a blatant idiot. I told him 3 times that I was a lesbian, yet he still wrote down on my
sexual history form that I was heterosexual.
When I saw what he had written, I emphatically stated, “I said I was a
lesbian!!” “Well,” he smirked, “You’ve had sex with men before
haven’t you?!” “NO! I am a lesbian -- that’s what lesbian means.”
(I’d run into this before, and truthfully, every lesbian I knew had slept with men at
some time or another. But damn it! I was pure!) He eyed me with exasperation. “Then
why in the hell are you here? Lesbians can’t get AIDS.” I couldn’t believe
he said it. It seemed incredible. I proceeded
to explain to him that as of yet, no lesbian had contracted HIV from another woman, but
many had contracted it from drug use, prostitution, or prior recreational sex with men.
Therefore, it was still important to be safe.
Looking back, I realized it was before the days that lesbians were cautioned not to share
sex toys, or have sex during menstruation, or any of that. It was just blatant black-out
of information. Of course, as far as I know, there are still no known transmissions, and
both my girlfriend and I were negative. But I’ve continued to get tested when I have
doubts or fear and have recently doubled my determination to reduce the number of my
sexual partners and get serious about safe sex. It’s great to get tested, but its
important to not, its not a prophylactic.
Afraid I don't have much to add to your project.
Never been tested because: 1) never had a transfusion; 2) never engaged in illegal
intravenous drug use; and 3) haven't engaged in a sexual encounter since my accident in
1980. My sole partner was a virgin as was I. We were both young, very shy, closeted and
monogamous. Didn't see a need to be tested.
Know this is a pitiful story. Just haven't found a nice guy to alter it so far. If you
know of anyone, feel free to send them my way :-)
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Hello,
My name is Bret Turner (MISFIT) and I have a web site dedicated to HIV information on a
personal level. I have something that I would like you to help me with.
I'm trying to raise awareness of HIV Testing - to get more people to get HIV tests. After
all, Knowing your HIV status is a step in prevention. Since I try to bring things down to
a personal level and present as many points of view as possible, here is my idea.
I would like to make a collection of essays about personal experiences in HIV testing. I'm
hoping that people will be able to see what others have gone through in order to help them
in their decision to get a test. Getting Tested isn't easy for everyone, but I really
think it should be done. Here's where I need your help.
Would you write something about the process you went through for the Test, or why you
won't get one. I know this is personal and not the easiest thing to do - so I'll
understand if you don't want to do this, but I hope you do.
Here's what I think people would like to know -
What made you decide it was necessary - what made you decide to actually go - what went
through your mind during the test - waiting for the results - what was the test like (did
you use a home test or go to the Dr. or a Clinic) - what the 'counselors' where like (if
there where any) - the idea of good news vs. bad news - what you would have to say to
anyone else thinking about it - anything at all good and bad, serious to whimsical -
Finally, the results and what you did with, or how you handled, that information.
Please feel free to write this in any format you are comfortable with. Cover all or only
some of these subjects.
I would like to put it on the web page - it might help others decide to go get tested -
then again it might not, but it will present a perspective other then my own for people to
see.
Think about it - no pressure - no rush - no hard feelings if you don't want to (like I
said, I realize it could be quite personal and not easy - btw' if you want, your names do
not have to be on what you write, we can do that anyway you like).
Please feel free to Forward this request on to as many people as possible. Even if you
don't want to write something, maybe you know someone that would. Feel free to save this
request - maybe you will want to do it later.
Send your writing to me at misfit@misfitslife.com
I want to reassure you - confidentiality and anonymity are assured if requested.
Please also feel free to check out the context in which your writing will be used -
www.misfitslife.com will bring you to the index page of my site. Clicking on the
ribbons or the Safer Sex box will bring you to the forum I'm preparing for this
(www.misfitslife.com/safesex or www.misfitslife.com/tests will take you
directly there.)
Thanks for your attention to this - and hopefully your help.
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HIV TESTING |
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