editorial - From Protest to Pro Test
posted: 19/05/2008
Michelle Reid discusses testing
This year George House Trust will be encouraging people to take regular HIV tests, in an effort to slow down and even decrease the number of new HIV infections in the North-West region.
The "Better to Know" campaign will promote regular testing to everyone. Our front page article encourages people to test in a clinic where trained staff can help people come to terms with whatever result they might receive. But of course, there are a number of other options available.
Home testing kits have been out there for some time, and you can buy these from a variety of places. If this is the route you choose, we recommend that the best supporting advice will be included in kits ordered online from Terrence Higgins Trust (£34 per kit).
Whilst we encourage people to test, you should be aware that home testing kits are not always straight forward. In most cases, you send off a saliva sample. This method can confirm a negative result, but they can't confirm whether you're positive.
When a positive result is indicated, the next step would be to have an HIV test in a medical environment, and there is evidence to suggest that people often don't follow up with a confirming blood test at a clinic.
That's why we strongly encourage people to go for the test in a medical or community testing centre. But however you choose to test, the important thing is to know your status, and to keep on knowing your status.
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