Telling others of your status.... Good or Bad?
Disadvantages (mainly)
discrimination (stigma)
subtle rejection in social scene
Both lead to self-isolation.
Advantages
you get support dealing with health and emotions
An example of 2 Kenyans (X & Y) who may be living with hiv (in UK). Both possibly on treatment.
X has made her status known and now is rarely seen in Kenyan social scenes.
Y has always denied being HIV+ (although there is compelling evidence to suggest otherwise). She continues to socialise with other Kenyan & always seems happy.
Remeber that once you tell people that you are HIV+,they dont forget!
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In my opinion,if people are advised not to announce their status (if +ve),they are more likely to go and get tested.
Does this sound reasonable?
Motobex.