Don’t Worry, Get Tested!
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the latter stage of HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. HIV is an infection that affects
every community regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic
standing, gender, age, or disability. Anyone can get HIV. The statistics are
amazing. Consider the following:
* 19.5 million people world-wide are believed to have become infected with
HIV; 18 million adults and 1.5 million children.
* By the year 2000, it is estimated that 30 to 40 million people world-wide
will be infected with HIV.
(Statistics from the World Health Organization, January, 1995)
There is no cure for HIV disease. If a person becomes infected with HIV he/she
will be facing a life-threatening disease.
If you are a parent, you owe it to your children to learn the facts about HIV
and to educate them about safer sex. Other than abstinence, a condom is the
best means of protection against HIV infection. Teach your child about condoms
and how to use them properly. A condom used incorrectly will not protect your
child from HIV.
If you are sexually active outside of a long-term monogamous relationship, you
owe it to yourself to get the facts. Understand that you can get infected with
HIV by one unprotected sexual encounter with an HIV-positive individual. Learn
the facts about HIV and if you choose to be sexually active, use a condom
correctly every time.
If you feel that you may be at risk for HIV, you can be tested at a number of
counseling and testing sites throughout the Austin area. The test is free and
is completely anonymous. The test requires a blood draw. Your blood is sent to
a lab where the HIV antibody test is conducted. Your results will usually be
back within two weeks and will be available from the testing counselor at the
site where your blood was drawn. In order for your test to be accurate, you
should wait three months after the point at which you believe you may have been
exposed to HIV. To find out which test site is close to you or to get more
information about HIV, call the AIDS Services of Austin Information Line at
458-AIDS.
Mike Wilkerson, M.S.Ed.
Wellness/Resource Center Program Assistant
This article appears in September 29 • 1995 and September 29 • 1995 (Cover).