because testing HIV positive late, after HIV has started to damage your health, means there might be less treatment options available to you
because knowing whether you are HIV positive or HIV negative can end the worrying and put you more in control of the situation
because if you know you are HIV positive you are in a better position to look after yourself and stay healthy
because if you are HIV negative you can focus on staying negative
because if you are HIV positive you can better protect yourself from other infections such as Hepatitis C and better protect your partner from becoming HIV positive
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can be passed from one person (someone who is HIV positive) to another (HIV negative) through contact with body fluids (semen, blood and from mother to baby in the womb). The virus damages the immune system, the part of the blood that fights infections and can cause the infected person to become ill.
How is HIV not passed on?
It cannot be passed during normal social contact such as kissing, touching, sharing mugs, plates and cutlery or in swimming pools.
Blood is screened in most countries before use in transfusions so this is also safe.
What is an HIV test?
An HIV test is a blood test carried out to find out if you have become infected with HIV. It looks for antibodies to HIV, not the virus itself. Antibodies are made by the body's blood when it is exposed to an infection. For more details about what's involved, click here.
Positive East with It's Better to Know provides a confidential walk-in 1 hour service. Simply attend during the clinic hours and you'll be seen by a trained professional.
Why should I test?
Apart from a test could save your life, it is better to know.Without knowing you can protect yourself and protect your partner(s). For more reasons, click here.
For further details about the 1 hour test, click here for details.
|
Why Test?