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Archive for June 10th, 2010

Reasons to Take a Home HIV Test

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

AIDS testing is largely a confidential, private and personal matter, however the test is also quite procedural as a matter of employment terms, for example, within the healthcare sector.The home HIV test is a tool that you can use to detect the presence of the HIV virus in your body. Caused by the HIV virus it is a condition that can stay dormant for many years before the symptoms of AIDS start to surface. In fact, it is estimated that there are some carriers of the HIV virus who never really experience the symptoms even as they pass on the virus to other people. An HIV blood test can help you in many ways and there are enough reasons for you to consider a home AIDS test.

Control the spread – There are more than 56,000 Americans who are infected with the HIV virus every year. This is mainly due to the large proportion of people who are not aware of the fact that they may be carrying the virus and passing it on to their partners. These cases tend to be discovered only when an unexpected HIV blood test is performed during blood donation camps or the like. A home HIV test can help you confirm whether you are HIV positive or not so that you can take the precautionary steps to avoid further spread.

Private and confidential – It may not be very comforting to know that everyone seems to know that you are getting HIV testing done. This becomes extremely obvious if you go to a laboratory or a center to get this test done. A home HIV test on the other hand can be done in the privacy of your home where no one really needs to know. Make sure, however, that you dispose the used test kit in the garbage appropriately, especially if you have nosy neighbors.

Easy and convenient – The home HIV test is very simple too. All you have to do is buy the AIDS test on the Internet and call in to find out the results in a few days after you have sent the blood sample to the laboratory with the unique blood sample id number.

Reassure yourself – A home HIV test is also a convenient way in which you can assure yourself that you are safe if you have a feeling that you have participated in unsafe sex. Rather than fret about whether something went wrong, you can choose to take the convenient home AIDS test to know that you are safe.

The Proper Knowledge of HIV Prevention

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

HIV has inflicted millions and millions of individuals worldwide. It is for this reason that different government and the World Health Organization are continually creating programs to prevent HIV from spreading further. This disease is very serious and lethal. As such, it is important to equip yourself with the proper knowledge of HIV prevention.

First of all, remember that HIV can be transferred or transmitted in three ways. Through sexual intercourse, transfer of blood and mother to child, HIV can be passed on. Also keep in mind that for each method of transmission, an individual has the capacity to significantly reduce the probability or likelihood of acquiring the disease. There are interventions that the national and local government are offering to help people at risk. These interventions all should be taken to ensure that the programs are indeed effective.

Most programs are centered on three main things. These things could prevent HIV transmission if correctly followed. One is through media campaign and information dissemination. Information gives us power to choose, to protect ourselves. There are still a lot of people today who do not know the repercussions of having unprotected sex. They do not know that they are putting themselves at risk for sexually transmitted disease, and possible, HIV. The media can significantly reduce HIV widespread if they have the proper tools to make the facts about HIV known.

This leads us to the next part of HIV prevention which is HIV counseling and testing. If you already know that your population is at risk, go to health centers and find out how they can help protect you. People who have the disease and are afraid they might pass it on to others, like to an unborn child, can be given proper counseling. This mother, for example, may be tested and her child may also be tested for possible HIV infections. Immediate treatment may also be given for the mother to help her unborn child. There is still a big possibility that the child would not get the disease if the mother is diagnosed early and receives proper treatment and care.

The third method for HIV prevention is through the provision of antiretroviral treatment for those who are exposed to HIV. This is basically given to those who have been diagnosed with HIV. People who are tested and returns positive with HIV are instantly given such a treatment to help them live a better, healthier life despite their disease. As an HIV prevention method, provision of the antiretroviral treatment acts an incentive for people to come out and actually be tested. This also allows the government to keep track of those with the disease and which areas are most affected.