Why should I go for an HIV test?

It is recommended that you determine your HIV status if you have experienced the following:

• unprotected sex
• shared needles
• rape
• accidental needle prick at work

Some advantages of knowing your HIV status are:

• If you know you are HIV positive, you can take advantage of immune system monitoring, early treatment and intervention, as well as self-help activities such as good nutirition and hygiene.
• By taking the test, you can find out whether or not you can infect others.
• Testing often increases your commitment to overall good health habits.
• If you test negative, you may feel less anxious after knowing your HIV status.
• Women and their partners considering pregnancy can take advantage of treatments that can help prevent transmission of HIV to the baby.

Some disadvantages are:

• If you test positive, you may show an increase in anxiety and depression.  However with proper information, support from friends and family and access to services, you can learn how to live with the infection.

• When testing is not strictly confidential, you may risk job and insurance discrimination.  To prevent this, make sure you test at a confidential site.

The decision to take an HIV test is an extremely personal one.  No one can make this decision for you.  We cannot make that decision for anyone.  No on should insist that  you do a test.  We can only advise you of the possible implications of a positive and negative result in your life.

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