Getting Tested

[Munchkin03]

I think it's great that so many people get tested for HIV...but what about those other STDs? Granted, none of them are as lethal as AIDS, but many can wreck your future fertility and we all know the HPV-cervical cancer link.

[WVU alpha phi]

I get tested for other STDs annually when I go for a checkup. It's just part of what they do and I've never thought twice of it. The reason I was so concerned with HIV is because I hadn't been tested in so long.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Oh, my test included many other STDs as well. The Dr. wasn't even going to test me for HPV and some others and I was like "No, I want the full deal!" She kept "forgetting" some of them on the paper and I had to remind her like 3 times! I don't get it... Also, the receptionist wasn't familiar with the term "STIs" either.

[Tinia2]

I sort of understand what you are going thought.
As a blood & platelet donor, I get tested every time I donate.

Well, a few years ago, I received a form letter telling me that I had been deferred and telling me to look below for reason.

Well, given that it is human nature to focus on and look at things at top of any list that is just what I did. And my heart just about stopped.

On top of list, out of alphabetical order, was HIV.

If took me quite a few moments to realize that it was NOT checked off.

Next time I donated, I asked to speak with TPTB. Suggested that they come up with a better form. And they agreed with me.

In your case you did the right thing and you just need to wait it out.

However, do not do what I did. Read the whole test report.

[WVU alpha phi]

Tinia, that story is horrible. I would die if I saw HIV on the top on the list. Good thing you recommended a change.

So we are supposed to go tonight after work for the rapid testing. He said he will ask for his results first. I couldn't sleep last night, I've barely ate, my boss wants to send me home because I look so awful (I'm sick to begin with and my eyes are swollen from crying so much). My friends keep telling me to take a step back and remove myself from the situation and think of the unliklihood of having it. All I can think of is those people who say "I never thought it would happen to me" and this stupid Lifetime movie I watched 2 weeks ago about a girl sleeping with an infected boy ONCE and she gets HIV.

I've never slept with anyone who's a drug user with needles and supposedly blood to blood contact is the easiest way to get it. I'm just so scared. I seriously want to call and cancel and pretend this never happened.

[smiley21]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

I've never slept with anyone who's a drug user with needles and supposedly blood to blood contact is the easiest way to get it. I'm just so scared. I seriously want to call and cancel and pretend this never happened.

If you do that, then you will never know. Just relax and wait. I know that is easier said than done. Still, just think if you cancel the results, how crazy that would make you because you still don't really know?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

I seriously want to call and cancel and pretend this never happened.

You will feel so much better when you get tested. I remember when I had to answer all of those questions they ask (number of sexual partners w/o protection, IV drug use, etc.) and after I was halfway done with the questionnaire, the counselor asked, "so, exactly why are you getting tested?" Even if you're in a low risk group--and my counselor told me straight up that I was--you will feel a lot better.

[KSUViolet06]

Cancelling it won't help you, because you still won't know.

It's good to see people get tested, I find that there are alot of young women whose main concern is birth control and not getting pregnant. I sometimes don't think they understand that there are ALOT worse things that can result from unprotected sex/other risky behavior than a pregnancy.