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It is a shame many women equate "HIV testing" with "dirty filthy whore". Out of all the friendships I have with women, when I ask if they have ever been tested for HIV they reply "why? I am not doing anything wrong!". (I don't share my + status with my friends)I have one friend in particular who sleeps with a married man and has never used a condom. She told me this was ok because he was "clean" and "only slept with his wife". It is amazing how so many women take society's approval over their own health. When I was initially infected with HIV, I was very young, did not use drugs, and had only two boyfriends before I decided to go unprotected with my 3rd after I ended up pregnant anyways using condoms. I recall asking for an HIV test but being refused one by the medical professionals because I was not considered to be in their risk pool. And had my partner not disclosed I may very well have spent the rest of my life believing I did not need to take a pesky ol' HIV test. And I'm not sure what the statistics were at the time when I was infected but I know the cases have risen dramatically in 2010. I do wish mainstream media geared towards women would wake up and take notice that today it may not be a common female disease but it sure will be if it's shoved into the corner and looked at as the disease "other people get". For as open as today's woman wants to be with her sexuality, many don't take responsibility for ensuring the body they love (and love to share) is healthy and safe without fear of persecuting labels.
This post makes use of statistical data in a manner more consistent with those who would marginalize HIVers that those who stand with us. Throwing unrelated percentages against one another for hyperbole serves neither one's credibility or the health of the community. A closer review of epidemiological data shows, however, that for the year 2007 the CDC estimated the incidence of new HIV diagnosis for women was 11.8 per 100,000 women. The incidence of breast cancer diagnosis for the same year across all races was 122.9 per 100,000 women, and breast cancer mortality was 24.0 per 100,000 women. As a 28-year survivor with HIV and the son of an 18-year breast cancer survivor, I find that the incidence numbers clearly argue for more concern about breast cancer among women, even as I wish that not a single person would become newly infected with HIV. Rates of HIV incidence have not risen among those under 25 not because other disease communities have exaggerated the impact of their afflictions. The argument for self-care in preventing HIV transmission must be made on its own merits, not in competition with other disease communities.
jackliu
IF your friends with Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2), HPV (Human Papillomavirus), HIV or any other STD, please ask them to check out SayYnow.com.THANKS
October 10, 2010