When I was 14 I was tested for AIDS because nobody knew why I was constantly sick, and just be safe, I managed to talk my mom into taking me to get tested. The results came back negative, but I have been tested two or three times since just to make sure, and the test results have all come back negative.

When I was about 21 I was sexually assaulted--again. Later on my perpetrator approached me with a piece of paper saying that he tested positive for an STD,(I don't remember which one), and laughed about it. I never got tested because I was too embarrassed and ashamed, and also because I cannot afford it. However, since then, I have wanted to get tested for all the STD's--including AIDS--just to make sure that I don't have anything.

It has been about seven or eight years since the encounter and I have not really noticed any symptoms of any disease. Should I still get tested, or just not worry about it? where can I go? Who can I talk to? What if the test results came back positive? What can I do?

TW16

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There are a lot of free clinics out there that will test you. Shame is something that is hard to deal with but knowing is the best knowledge.

For your sake you owe it to yourself to know what might or might not be.

Be stronger than your shame and go get checked. You are a fighter and you will come out much stronger knowing.

Be Strong!!

Scot

Hi, TW.

Definitely get tested. Your local community services board more than likely offers free, anonymous testing. They won't even ask your name. They'll test you, and give you a slip of paper with an ID number for you to bring back maybe two weeks later. They'll match the number on the slip of paper to the number on their list of results. You'll know your status, and they WON'T know your name. Good luck!

Peace,

John

I approached my clergy about this early last night about being tested, and he is quite supportive. He said that he knows a doctor who would be able to test me for all the STD's--including HIV--at no cost. He is going to try and get me in sometime next week.

TW16

Good job TW knowing beats worrying any day of the week. My guess is it will come back negetive but if not we can deal with it one step at a time. Be strong Mike

I am going to see a doctor tomorrow, (Friday) afternoon. I admit, I am scared.

TW

TW,
we will not physically be there with you but we will be there with you in support....just know that.

Be Strong my brother.

Scot

I went to see the doctor today, and she told me that--if anything--I may have Herpes. I sure hope not.

TW16

TW,
With that you can find out when your breakouts happen and know that you need to be more careful when you are thinking of having sex. Yo then can get on a medication that only needs to be taken when you are having outbreaks. Sometimes you may not even have outbreaks. If that is the only thing you need to worry about then that is good.

Be Strong buddy!!

Scot