Kids. Don't be stupid.
 

Today was a very depressing day. The kind of day that you never want to have happen to you. Hear me out, this rant/story is important.

As of yesterday one of my best friends has finally decided to *admit* that she has HIV. Me, being the paranoid psycho that I am, went and got tested. <Negative. (I realize that looks like it's implying that we did something, but we didn't) Basically, she has HIV now, and it's in a very high stage, approaching where it turns into AIDS. Seeing her today was one of the most difficult and tear inducing things i've ever seen in my life. She never thought she was even at risk, and I saw her eyes today and it really got to me. Her eyes were glazed lightly, a soft yellowish color, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days. (This appearance is one of the main symptoms when they finally show up). I don't know how many of you have seen something like that, but it's unforgettable. Her life is forever altered, and I can barely even stand the thought of it. I know this would devastate me if I got it, so I felt like it couldn't hurt to at least bring it up. Just go get tested. There are tons of free places, and even places that are anonymous. I was even nervous and felt a little embarrassed when I went, but it's a huge load off my mind. I don't want to see anyone else I know (including my HDC brethren) be introduced to something like this.

Thanks for reading my health class sermon. That is all.

Really sorry to hear about that Posher :(

i thought the results to something like that would take up to two weeks...

Well said. I'm sorry for your friend.

so sorry to hear this - the good side is treatment is very good these days

down side is that too many stupid people aren't being safe - thanks for the reminder

I should have been specific. However that isn't true, there is a test that takes about 40 minutes near me and is anonymous, with instant results. She was tested and was positive.


Zero- While you're right about the treatments being very good, she is already in the advanced stages of HIV, and her risk of it turning into AIDS at this point is almost.... definite.

Sorry to hear about that posher.

Aint that a bitch...
But hey, I've known about this AIDS deal since I was a young kid, and I'm now 27 - not to just throw shit on your friend, but she does illustrate the point rather well that people ought to pay better attention and not assume luck is with 'em everywhere they go, it was foolhardy, and yes, it has indeed fucked them over.

The info has been available for such a long time, and is in abundance.
Personally there's no way I'd have unprotected sex with ANYONE without having had them tested prior - I don't personally perceive drunkness to be an excuse either, for every drunk decision I've ever made, there's always been some kind've grounding, SOME base knowledge you hang on to, but then...I never get THAT drunk outside of home/friends care, if a persons drinking themselves to that point, then that's a bad habit in itself.
Anyways, both my current partner (of 9 years) and myself had one, and we've both been exclusive since, so there's no need to get tested.

But, I get behind the thread...any bit of information helps in a society that's got ignorance down to an art...

Sorry for what you'll have to see your friend go through, I hope it's not too messy and relatively painless - I understand the medication/treatment these days is rather good.
Best wishes.

Jesus man...that really must be painful.

Hope you all keep a positive outlook on things...like Zero said, the treatments are good these days. No matter how bad it looks, there's always that glimmer of hope of you look for it hard enough.

Really sorry to hear about this...

Thanks... It really means a lot.


I'm just at the point where I don't even know what to say to her... I mean. She basically has AIDS now. It is in the process of advancing... It's already affecting her. I don't know the details on treatment for this severe of a case but I don't know if HIV treatments are even useful now.

If it's gone to the AIDS stage, there really isn't one.
I was largely referring to things that may stave off the major symptoms, prolong productive life a bit longer, and/or make the person more comfortable going through the whole process...that's all you can really do.

I think the best thing you could do would be to educate yourself about the condition as much as you can if you're going to be around her, that way you won't have any unneccessarry preconceptions about the virus, the contagiousness of it to yourself and others, and what to expect.
This will not only allow for more comfort between yourselves, but show that you're willing to take the steps to help see 'em through it.
Of course, there's no preparing you for the final stages - that's going to be FUCKED no matter what...but yknow, she'll probably have a lot of people abandon her, or want to stay away out of ignorant fear - if your friendship really counts, don't be one of those, and I'm sure that in itself will mean heaps to her.

I would never abandon her. It's just overwhelming, this whole ordeal.

shes going to need your help..

I agree with Cheeba.

Anyway I know with the story this should be the least of my concern but....

How the hell did you get results from HIV testing in 40 minutes.
what was it written? ever share a needle? no. ever have unprotected sex with someone who may have had the HIV virus? no. congrats, gold star. LOL but seriously give me the name of this place, whenever I need any kind of blood test I am going there. I guess it's far away, but I'll still go if I ever think something is seriously wrong with me. I'll be back home before any doctor here would have even looked at my file.

It's Aid Atlanta. And its about a 60 hour drive for you hahaha. It's also done by technicians, and it's only for HIV, nothing else.

btw if you had unprotected sex with some AIDS infested prostitute and were infected within 90 days of the test you would have come back as negative anyway. So think long and hard, posh... has it been atleast 90 days since your last AIDS infested hooker?

Ever had a rapid strep test?

It's the same concept. Checks for the antibodies for fast results:

"Rapid Tests: A Clinical Option
Consumers do have the option of taking a rapid test, some of which test for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. These tests are run where the sample is collected, and produce results within 20 minutes.

Because HIV testing requires interpretation and confirmation, rapid antibody tests are only approved and available in a professional health care setting, such as doctors' offices, clinics and outreach testing sites.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are tests that look for HIV's genetic material directly, but these are not in widespread use. Tests using saliva or urine are also available, although not for "at-home" use.

If you are unsure whether a certain type of HIV test is FDA-approved, look for the test on the agency's list of at www.fda.gov/cber/products/testkits.htm. You can also contact CBER by phone at (800) 835-4709, or e-mail at [email protected]."

http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/...kit012908.html

http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/testkits.htm

Takes a week or two for the full report. If the rapid test is negative or positive, the final result usually is, too. Sometimes, you get two different results, but that's rare.

Can't verify the accuracy of these particular links, but there are thousands like them...

We are an impatient nation...So, that's the way we do things in America :p

:D haha..... @ MD

I would have the common sense to recognize if a hooker had aids haha. I may be stupid, but i'm not bloody stupid

I've never been to a professional

Very sad, sorry to hear this posher...and to echo others, well said.

that's horrible!

if it's wrong, you'll most likely have 2 people infected by the time the actual results come back. wait.... horrible, I meant hilarious. :D

TERRIBLE...But, yeah I think most people will wait for the final report before taking a chance, if they're concerned enough to take the test in the first place. But, seriously, it almost never happens (conflicting results, I mean).

What I'm saying is, they should not give results in a 30 minutes or less fashion.

This thread is staring to make me paranoid

Was your attacker wearing a ball cap and scarf?

All I know is he was drunk on the 'shine

http://www.thewvsr.com/images/redneck.jpg

LMAO I think you're screwed :(

Yup no one survives the pig flu :(

I've never and hope that I never been good friends with anyone with HIV or AIDs. I did however, take a toke off a ciggarette from somebody who may or may not have AIDs. When I found out this I got pretty worried, but now I've realised how stupid those worries were.

And yes, I know I'm too young to be smoking. That was the first and only ciggarette I've ever had and I thought it was just boring. Not good but not bad either.

I said that after my first smoke.

I love smoking, unlike most people I'm not afraid to admit it either.

That's cause you're just like... *that* much better than the world:p

hey I just think I'm a little less full of bullshit than the world.

If a bull shat in me I'd be pretty pissed off.

I'd be more impressed than anything.

I hated quitting, I still love the smell everytime I walk past people who are smoking. Smoking was wonderful, the taste of it... the smell of it... the entire ritual. Mmmmmmmmm........

Really sorry about your friend, Posh. That's honestly scary.

Good message, though. Protection is key and testing is free. I know - corny, lame, whatever. I think that people should be more aware and really take care of themselves.

Sorry, that is depressing. :(

Ok. So I bent the truth slightly. I didn't know I was negative when I made the thread. I was freaking petrified about it so naturally I said that to build myself up. I went and got tested this afternoon, and i'm negative. It feels amazing! I feel like a new person. So to reinstate my point: It is so important to get yourself tested for this. It took me about an hour, it can be free and anonymous and it's worth it. So i'm pretty much done with my rant on it, just take my advice and don't be an idiot!

bending the truth/lieing whatever...

You got the results the same day? crazy, I would have expected that you would need to wait or did you go to a private hospital?