How long has it been since you've been tested?

if you have the time to browse lpsg on a daily basis, you have the time to go get tested

I should probably get tested again, but I got tested about a month ago. Still free and clear, baby!

After an HIV scare, my family absolutely refused to take me to get tested, claiming that I won't believe the results anyways.

I got a crappy $15 dollar instant test from online and it registered as negative. I guess that's supposed to count.

Three months ago. Get tested twice a year.

Every 60 days. Them toilet seats are NASTY!

Glad to hear it sounds like a lot of you guys are taking your health seriously. If you haven't been tested in awhile, get off the couch and do it!! If you've never been tested, you've got a site full of people who can answer questions for you or offer support. I hope I don't ruffle any feathers but I ESPECIALLY recommend getting tested for couples because many couples stop using condoms when they decide they're going to be exclusive, but no one is immune to infidelity so couples should get tested as well, even if you THINK your partner is being faithful. Better safe than sorry and if your partner truly loves you, they'll be glad you're getting tested and not offended. Health comes before pride.

Thats odd, how old were you and why would your family refuse even if they thought you wouldn't believe it anyways.

Now for a bout 6 months. There's a free clinic nearby, so I think I'll do it cheap for once!

If the results came back 13 weeks or later from your last unprotected encounter, then trust the results.

I was 17 (i'm now 18)

As far as I can tell, it's because they're ashamed about it, and it's a lot easier for them to never think or talk about it. I was begging to go to the board of health (there's no free clinic around here) and to pay the gas money, but the answer was still "Look, you don't have HIV because I just know. Now stop crying."

And here I am.

Wow, see if you can get a friend to take you. Getting tested is important and there are plenty of options. Don't let your parents' option to pretend the monster away cost you the peace of mind of knowing the results.

Not an option.

My only option is to try and put on enough weight in order to give blood; they'll test the blood for free and inform me if I have any diseases. Plus, i'll learn my blood type.

That is an incredibly irresponsible thing to do. Blood centers are not STD clinics.

If you think you've had an actual risky situation, go to an anonymous testing center and get tested.

If you think your family was shamed before, imagine their shock if/when you really do get sick, all of which could have been prevented if you'd had the wherewithal to get tested before you ran out of T-Cells.

Trust me on this. I've lived with the virus since my late teens or early 20s: more than half my life.

since my last partner....and every partner

The nearest STD center is in Cleveland, which is about 2 hours away from here. No transpoatation, and even if I did have transportation gasoline is >$4.00 a gallon.

There isn't one around here, or I would have went a long time ago.



It's always fun being infected at the beginning of your life. :-D