Right around December 1st, the day the world comes together to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, I often see messages pop up on Facebook and around the web encouraging people to get tested for HIV. Surely it is important to remind others to test, but I often wonder if those very same people test as well. Is it easy to tell someone how to think/act a certain way, yet do not take our own advice? When it comes to HIV testing, do we practice what we preach?
I can't speak for anyone but me, so I'll take this opportunity to share with you 4 reason why I choose to test regularly for HIV.
1) Not to sound cliche, but knowledge truly is power. Knowing my HIV status allows me to make wise and responsible decisions about my health and behavior so that I can stay HIV negative. Further, I can empower my sugar pie honey bunch to make decisions that are best for him (just as I am entitled to the same option).
2) I can't think of a good reason not to. If I could think of a reason, more likely than not, it would just be a lame excuse. HIV testing is relatively painless (sans the little prick on the finger...unless oral swab testing is available). Results of a 'rapid test' are available within 10 minutes...so quick that I could do it on my lunch break. It is super easy to find FREE testing services, and I surely do like the sound of that...particularly in these trying economic times (j/k).
3) Peace of mind.
4) I work in an environment that encourages routine, opt-out HIV testing and TB screening for everyone. Can I rightly continue to promote a behavior that I'm not willing to adopt? If you heard me preaching about the benefits of and responsibility to test, yet I did not do it, would you be inclined to take my advice? My passion for improving public health, for me, means that I must model the behavior that I wish to promote. In essence, I must practice what I preach.
Yesterday, on World AIDS Day, my organization and many others joined the ministry of health to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS throughout the country. A major highlight of the event was the provision of HIV testing and TB screening. Because all of the reasons I mentioned above, and to encourage my friends and family to test for HIV, I tested for HIV...and have the pictures to demonstrate how simple and easy testing can be!
Mobile HIV Testing & Counseling Unit 
Preparing to test
All it takes is one simple finger prick! 
Collecting a few small drops of blood...see, simple! 
Waiting for my test results. HIV rapid tests can provide your results in less than 15 minutes! 
Now I know my HIV status and can make responsible choices to stay HIV negative!
...and getting screened for TB can be fun too!HIV does not care if you're gay or straight, single or married, blue or purple, rich or poor, American or African, 'good' or 'bad'. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested.
Until next time,
Dani
Until next time,
Dani
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