MSMNPA.ORG Pride 2005

HIV AIDS UPDATE

STEP 1 – Part 1

KNOW YOUR STATUS – We are all at Risk!

Getting tested for HIV is a frightening thought for everyone, so much so the majority of us convince ourselves that it is not necessary. "I am not at risk"; “I do not sleep around.” and “He looked perfectly normal and healthy.” - are the most common thoughts.

The reality is that we are ALL at RISK, whether we are in a long term relationship, dating or single. 73% of new HIV infections occur between the ages of 15 to 49 years in Trinidad & Tobago.

The advantages of being TESTED are:

Anyone who worries about possible past risks of exposure to HIV can relieve her/his mind.
Some people avoid testing because of fear that the test might be positive. Many are immensely relieved to discover that they are not infected.
Those who do test positive usually find it's better to know: there are now a variety of early treatment options that postpone the onset of illness.
Knowing one's test results means not only being able to protect oneself and future partners from infection but also to avoid passing the virus to one's children. Pregnant women who seek treatment for HIV infection significantly reduce the risk that a child will be born infected with HIV.
Many people seek tests for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) before starting a new sexually active relationship. Since all these infections are often present without apparent symptoms, negative tests can be very reassuring.

As we covered all the different types of Condoms and proper Condom Use in the previous edition (Carnival ’05) we continue with the following editions to provide you with information on HIV and Treatment Preparedness and how it affects us as a community; our relationships; and you as an individual through a series of STEPS. You will also be provided with referral information on testing procedures and facilities; counselling protocols; access to treatment and medication and support groups.

STEP ONE – Know Your Status

Before you head on out to the nearest clinic there are some basic things that you should consider and need to know. Firstly, if you might have been exposed to HIV through your last sexual encounter or situation, you need to understand that it can take up to a minimum of three months and possibly as long as six months, for the virus to show up in a test and provide an accurate result. This is called the Window Period. During this period we strongly recommend that you abstain from having any sexual encounters.

GETTING TESTED – Voluntary, Counselling and Testing - VCT

Now that you have taken this first step of acceptance, next you will need to make an appointment to get yourself professionally counselled and tested. This is not a simple decision and many people get as far as going for the test but never return for the result. You must approach this responsibly and it helps if you have a friend that you can confide in and who will go along with you for moral support.

What is VCT?

Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is a cornerstone for early access to prevention as well as to care and support services. High public awareness of HIV, increasing numbers of persons sick and dying with AIDS, and knowledge of personal risk behaviours result in an increased desire to learn one's serostatus. This process includes pre and post test counselling, no matter whether the result is negative or positive.

VCT plays an essential role at many levels:

For the individual:

Empowers uninfected persons to protect themselves from HIV
Assists infected persons to protect others and live positively
By seeing a counsellor who can help assess risks and give detailed information about testing options.

For couples and families:

Enables planning for the future (marriage, pregnancy, relationships, orphan care, financial and property arrangements)
Enhances faithfulness
Encourages family planning

In the community:

Changes the image of HIV/AIDS from illness, suffering and death to living positively with HIV
Generates optimism as large numbers of persons test HIV negative
Reduces stigma and enhances the development of care and support services
Reduces transmission
Enables access to preventive prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy where available
Access to needed clinical services (antenatal -clinics, sexually transmitted infections ( STIs) and Tuberculosis ( TB) clinics, primary care clinics)

Knowledge of personal risk behaviours and serostatus is power .