Everyone who has ever had unprotected sex,a blood transfusion,dental work in dubious places and suspect injections or cuts (eg. by Wagangas or traditional circumcisers) might be +ve,and has probably anguished about to test or not to test!

I would suggest to those thinking of testing,do not do it before you educate yourself thoroughly about HIV. This helps u deal with the anxiety and the results much better. When u r informed,the fear is far less and courage far more (my own experience)!

For example,u can sleep with a +ve partner unprotected and not contract it. The chance of getting infected is 0.2 - 2% and is highest if the +ve person was infected in the last 3-6 months (non-symptomatic) of your having sex,or is in the AIDs stage (u r unlikely to have sex with this one),so just coz u found out that one of your lays has died of it doesnt mean you have it! And just coz ur lay looked perfectly healthy doesnt mean,they dont have it!

Another point is to determine why you r doing the test! eg,

a) i think am -ve and want to make sure i dont get infected by my partner,b) i think am +ve and do not want to infect my partner or others,
c) i think am +ve and just want to change my lifestyle and seek treatment so i can live a long,near normal life (living positively)
d) i think am +ve and want to find out and prepare for my quick exit from this world with as little shame as possible (death wish) and probably go with as many others as i can.

If u take route d,in two yrs u will have picked all manner of OIs,guilt,shame and u will be way beyond treatment.

If u take route c,it might be 5-10yrs before u even need to be put on treatment! And can look forward to another 30 yrs on earth (and who knows what medication will come out before then)

I have lost an uncle and an aunt who took route d,i have a close friend who cant decide if they r c or d,and isnt doing very well healthwise because his mind is not made up.

My first HIV test taught me something we do with shares and biz,get the fundamentals right before you start going for the test. this makes u know what next after the test!

But still the tests have been scary but less so because i know what to do with my life in either eventuality!

When buying shares,ask yourself,would you buy the whole company?

I believe in getting tested - knowledge is power. As someone mentioned,getting the first negative result does not mean you are negaitve still need to go back for further testing especially if you suspect you might be infected or participate in risky behaviour. Return at 3 wks,6wks and 3 months. Play safe and go back again in another 6 months. I have taken care of patients with a 27+ yr history of HIV. Here in the developed nations HIV is beginning to be viewed as any other chronic disease eg diabetes or cardiac disease. The trick is to know your status early and to get on a treatment plan right away. You let your viral load pile up in denial and the earliest OI takes you out.

Courage. Go get tested.

Whichever way you will still find out early enough while you are still healthy and can do something constructive about it,or when the OIs set in.

You decide when you want to know.


mickey

@ ngwono

people who are on the last stage test negative...coz there are no antibodies in the body.That usher in your church who got healed may be lacking antibodies and thinking all is good.

its like a child may test positive due to the mothers antibodies in him....but later on tests negative when he makes his own antibodies..and you know what....its the pastors who take the credit......ati aliponya ukimwi.


stocksmaster! am back!

I am going for one today...always thot I could hack this without breaking a sweat. But am I tense or what?

Time and chance happen to all.

Early 2006 did ma first test,i had been very promiscous,i had like 3 stable chicks but i still henya on the side,man i have an appetite. Got a job overseas and before i travelled had to take a full medical including HIV,i was so stressed for 3 days waiting for the results.Theres a HIV test called LIZA in nairobi hospital sio ati mambo ya stripes which could be there or not,this is an international one. Those 3 days were the most agonizing days of my life i cant forget,i had a fever and i hardly ate. They came out clean i'm telling you that was the end of promiscuity,once you know your status you cant play around,even with a condom. Now i'm hitched and i'm having my fun with mamaa i dont even think of kuhenya. So please go get tested man and take control of your life,you will value your life more and be more responsible

Jay