VOLUNTARY COUSELLING AND TESTING (VCT)
HIV testing is accompanied by counselling, where a trained person helps an individual cope with their HIV status through in-depth discussions. The test is reliable, accurate, safe and painless. A small amount of blood from the finger is tested. Within 30 minutes to 1 week depending on the test, you have your result. A repeat test after 3-6 months when the window period is over frees one from HIV as long as there was no further exposure.
Everyone should have a HIV test, especially
- Sexual STI infection
- Blood transfusions
- Anal sexual activity (male or female)
- Injection drug use
- Sexual activity with partners having any of the above
- activity with multiple partners
- Encounters with sex workers
- Children born to women with any of the above
Benefits of VCT
- It encourages discussion on prevention, testing, risk reduction, and living with HIV.
- It reduces stigma as more people go public about being HIV positive.
- It serves as a catalyst for the development of care and support services like (aid to orphans).
- It generally reduces the rate of transmission of HIV.
CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV
A positive HIV test
There are 5 emotional stages to positive HIV test
Denial: Refusal to accept the result. Asking for a re-test, refusing to talk about it, or telling
themselves and others that it is surely a mistake.
Depression: Spend a lot of time alone, and behave as though they have opted out of life.
Anger: A strong, aggressive reaction may blame other people for his or her infection.
Negotiation: Bargaining with God, pleading for more time in return for living a good life.
Acceptance: With guidance and counselling during these difficult times, the person could
begin to accept what it means to be positive, decide to make the best use of their time left,
make healthy choices, and seek prompt treatment for illnesses and infections.
Treatment
There is no cure for AIDS, but there are ways to treat the symptoms. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but a sense of total well-being.