HIV Voluntary Counseling And Testing

Voluntary Counseling And Testing (VCT)

WHAT IS VCT

VCT stands for Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV. News of HIV infection is devastating so you need counseling before and after being tested.

WHY SHOULD YOU KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS?

It is important for everyone to know his or her HIV status, be it positive or negative. This knowledge will help them in that if one is negative, they may choose to be more cautious and not engage in risky behaviour so as to maintain their negative status. On the other hand, if one is HIV positive, they will be able to seek medical attention as soon as possible and also learnt the different ways they can take care of themselves.

It is important to note that if you have been exposed to any risk, you can be tested for HIV and turn out negative.It is advisable that you go back for anothe test after three to six months. The three months are what is called the window period. The first test may not have detected the HIV virus in the immune system because the body may not have begun producing anitbodies. But during the three months the production of antibodies will have began. Thus during the second HIV test, the antibodies will be detected. It is therefore advisable that you should go back for another test three months after the first test was done so as to be sure about your status.

The test is completely confidential and one should recieve counseling before and after undergoing the test. There are advantages and disadvantages of finding out is one is HIV-positive.

DISADVANTAGES	ADVANTAGES
One may ba able to psychologically and may end up becoming depressed. If other people find out, you may suffer prejudice and discrimination together with your family	Have access to care and support services which include ongoing counceling and information on how to keep healthy Protect your partner from getting infected Recieve early treatment for opportunistic infections such as skin infections, STDs and TB Help keep your immune system strong by eating healthy food and cutting out smoking and alcohol Make informed decisions about sexual relationships and childbearing Make plans about how dependents, children and families will be looked after when you become ill Change peoples attitudes and behaviour by talking about your HIV status

DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

One may ba able to psychologically and may end up becoming depressed.
If other people find out, you may suffer prejudice and discrimination together with your family

Have access to care and support services which include ongoing counceling and information on how to keep healthy
Protect your partner from getting infected
Recieve early treatment for opportunistic infections such as skin infections, STDs and TB
Help keep your immune system strong by eating healthy food and cutting out smoking and alcohol
Make informed decisions about sexual relationships and childbearing
Make plans about how dependents, children and families will be looked after when you become ill
Change peoples attitudes and behaviour by talking about your HIV status

Of course there is always the upside if you are not infected and that is

You can stop worrying that you are infected
Get empowered on how to protect yourself against infection

If you find your staus to be positive, it is extremely important that friends and family be supportive and understanding. This will enable you to cope and also make the right choices in regard to your status.

FOR A LIST OF VCT CENTERS WHERE YOU CAN GET TESTED CLICK ON 'VCT CENTERS' IMAGE AT TOP OF PAGE

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