HIV testing and counselling
Voluntary HIV testing and counseling is very key in the fight against the spread of HIV. It is important to know your HIV status by going to the hospital to have your blood tested for HIV. You can only know one’s HIV status through testing and not appearance.
There are a lot of advantages when you undergo HIV testing and counseling. Some of the advantages include:
- You prevent the spread of HIV as you are able to take preventing measures such as using a condom when having sex.
- You protect yourself from contracting the virus if you are HIV negative as well as protecting other people from contracting the virus if you are HIV positive.
- You deal with the stress of not knowing your HIV status.
- You are able to plan for your life.
HIV testing and counseling is for everyone and it is important for everyone to know their HIV status.
When you go to the hospital for HIV testing and services, all the discussions that take place during that time are private and confidential. Testing HIV positive does not mean you have AIDS. You can only suffer from AIDS if the HIV virus has weakened your body immunity. There is a difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV is a virus that weakens your body’s immunity while AIDS is a combination of various diseases that you suffer from after your body’s immunity is weakened.
When you are HIV negative, you are given counseling that will help you to prevent contracting HIV and if you are HIV positive, you are admitted on ante retroviral treatment that helps to boost your immunity.
Through the 90:90:90 campaign, government by 2020 would like to achieve, 90% of the population being tested and know their HIV status, 90% on ART treatment and 90% viral load has been suppressed.
Be wise, know your HIV status by going to the hospital for HIV testing and services.
For more information, call Tithandizane Helpline toll free line 116 or visit your nearest Youth friendly health facility or visit any YONECO Drop in Centre.
