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| Getting tested for HIV is a smart thing
to do. Yet many people refuse to get tested. You might find
the idea of getting tested is a frightening experience, so you
just don't want to do it. But you often continue to be stressed
and worried about whether you're infected. You also might think
that getting tested for HIV is unnecessary, as HIV is something
that won't 'touch' you. |
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| If you decide to get tested and learn that
you are HIV-positive, it is the first important step you take
towards staying healthy. For others, getting the assurance of
a negative test result can provide an enormous relief and the
first step you take to avoid high-risk
behaviour and sustain your negative status. |
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| One of the most basic truths about HIV
is that gender, age, race and economic status are irrelevant
when it comes to vulnerability to HIV. There is no cure for
HIV/AIDS, but there are medications that have proven to be very
effective in keeping HIV-Positive people alive longer and healthier. |
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| In the period immediately after the infection
has taken place there are no specific symptoms. Within two to
four weeks after exposure to HIV, a person might have flu-like
symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, diarrhea,
fatigue or rash. In rare instances they may occur within a few
days after exposure have taken place. |
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| These symptoms usually go away after a
week or two. Often, if they occur at all, they're so mild it
is hardly noticeable. |
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| It is important to keep in mind these symptoms
are almost identical to those of many other illness. That's
why testing is so important. Very often people who have symptoms
are worrying unnecessarily. Only by taking the HIV test can
someone reliably know his or her HIV status. Everything else
is just guessing and HIV is too important of an issue to leave
to chance. |
