AIDS Test; Testing HIV

Written by Carol Dickens

The Importance of HIV Testing Article: You never think it will happen to you.  Sure, you've heard of AIDS.  You may even know someone who has it.  But you still think that you are somehow immune to the virus.  While this is definitely wishful thinking, it is unfortunately not true.  Anyone can get AIDS.  And, if you don't know how to protect yourself, the chance of you getting this virus skyrocket.  First, you need to learn about how to avoid the virus. AIDS and HIV can be contracted through blood and certain kinds of bodily fluids.  For example, it can be contracted through blood transfusions and through the use of contaminated needles.  Luckily, the United States government has put in a lot of rules when it comes to getting a blood transfusion.  They check the blood ahead of time to make sure that it is not infected.  You can also get this illness through sexual means.  This includes anal, vaginal and oral sex.  To avoid getting AIDS this way, make sure to use a barrier, such as a condom, to keep these fluids away from you.  Finally, AIDS can also be contracted through breast milk.  This means that there are a lot of children out there who were either born with the illness, or who got it through breastfeeding. Although you now know how to avoid getting AIDS, that does not mean you are free and clear.  Accidents can happen.  Because of this, you should watch out to make sure that you do not have it.  There are certain AIDS signs and symptoms, although they often resemble other health problems.  For instance, you may have a high fever.  Unfortunately, most people assume that they just have a cold or flu, and don't get tests.  You may also notice that you're getting infections, or cancers.  This can happen much more often with people who are infected, and it is one of the more common AIDS signs and symptoms.   If you think that you might have AIDS, or you are planning on starting a new relationship with someone and are thinking of having sex, you will want to get tested for HIV and AIDS.  This can be done several ways, such as visiting a health clinic.  These tests are private, so you don't have to worry about any embarrassment if you happen to be positive for the virus.  While going to get this done is definitely scary, it is still an important part of life.   AIDS tests take some of your fluids, usually your blood, and test it for signs of the virus.  These tests are normally very accurate.  If you do happen to get a positive result, it is a good idea to get tested again just to make sure that the prognosis is right.   Once you’re tested, the doctors will want to work with you to start your treatment.  This will depend on the stage the virus is in.  There are four stages, each getting progressively worse.  Depending on the stage, you will then get several different medications, often referred to as a 'cocktail' that you'll need to take on a daily basis. Although you're life will definitely change if you do have HIV, you don't need to worry too much about your mortality just yet.  With the proper medication, people can live for twenty more years after they first contract the virus.   While you may feel invincible, you actually aren't.  Instead, you should worry about protecting yourself from this virus. If you do, you can avoid the scary notion that you may test positive.  If you are sexually active, you should get tested anyway, and you should encourage your partner to do the same.

 

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