Comments on: From the White House to You: It’s National HIV Testing Day

By: HIVsymptoms

HIVsymptoms — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:07:52 +0000

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that assails the immune system. The virus attacks your CD4 cells (or T4 cells), which are necessary to fight off illnesses. Eventually, the virus overwhelms the CD4 cells and your body becomes unable to fight off diseases and infections.HIV symptoms

By: HIVsymptoms

HIVsymptoms — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:07:52 +0000

http://www.hendyirawan.com/2007/07/29/red-fruit...

By: Simon_DC

Simon_DC — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:28:15 +0000

I was tested anonymously. You walk in, they give you a number and prick your finger, you come back with the number, they talk to you about safer sex and other practices, they tell you the results of the test. If it's positive (I assume — thankfully I wasn't) they give you more counseling. At no time do you give your name.

By: twg

twg — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:24:09 +0000

There are standard blood draw tests, a home prick-your-finger style (send it in, then call anonymously for results), and now there are mouth swab tests. The mouth swab….which is easiest, is only available at doctors and clinics. I had my son tested because of a recurring fever and our hiv+ family member a few years back. He is a special needs child, having CP and profound hearing loss. It was a blood draw test, and it was like a MMA cage fight to get it done. Giving him shots is almost as bad. I'm sure this will apply to many of the folks to which you are referring, so I'd definitely explore the swab test if anonymity is not an issue.

By: isonprize

isonprize — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:18:10 +0000

I wasn't being patronizing at all. I just really want to know what happens at the test. Is it a blood draw? a swab in the mouth?

I deal with children and young adults who have special health care needs and as much info I can gather the better.

By: twg

twg — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:13:23 +0000

Posted your response above, sorry!

By: twg

twg — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:13:49 +0000

I'm sure you aren't being patronizing, so here is a great link:
http://www.aids.org/info/testing.html

I have an immediate family member who is HIV+, which they didn't discover until almost having full blown AIDS in 1994. They where getting an life-insurance physical prior to getting married, and had experience much chronic illness. They married (true love is hard to find), and the HIV battle is ongoing but under control (and not a secret). HIPPA legislation has made a big difference, but in their opinion, as much privacy as you can afford yourself is best.

By: isonprize

isonprize — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:36:16 +0000

so… walk me thru this anonymous testing. Talk to me like I'm a five year old.

How do I get tested anonymously. Don't I have to give my name when I walk into the clinic test site (or wherever the HIV test are given?) What happens – will they give me a number?

What kind of test is it, anyway? Is it a blood draw? Swab of the cheek? How long do the results take? How do I know the results are my results?

By: twg

twg — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:21:50 +0000

It is important to get tested, but remember to get tested anonymously. You will be in a state, federal and insurance databases if you don't.