STOP HIV...Get Tested!

The risk of HIV and AIDS is not with those who know their status but with those who do not know their HIV status. An individual who is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) will not develop the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) immediately. The immune system of the individual will wage a consistent and prolonged war with the virus, right from the day of infection, delaying the onset of AIDS by many years.
Since 1999 to October 2009, a total of 269381 blood samples have been screened for HIV & 8791 people have been detected as HIV+. As per the Technical report of Sentinel Surveillance 2007 by NACO, the Adult HIV prevalence rate is 1.20%. Out of the total positive case only 5098 HIV+ clients have registered at the ART centers & 1534 are on ART consisting of 1444 Adults & 90 children. This indicates that access to service is dismally low which could be due to ignorance, denial or stigma and discrimination and lack of awareness of health care facilities.
The only way to diagnose the presence of HIV and get timely treatment is through a simple blood test. HIV Counselling and Testing services were started in Nagaland in the year 1997. There are now 60 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs), which are located in government hospitals, CHCs and designated PHCs throughout the State and 10 mobile ICTCs..
In ICTCs you can get free counseling and testing. HIV counselling and testing services are a key entry point to prevention of HIV infection, and to treatment and care of people who are infected with HIV. When availing counseling and testing services, people can access accurate information about HIV prevention and care, and undergo an HIV test in supportive and confidential environment. People who are found HIV-negative are supported with information and counseling to reduce risks and remain HIV-negative. People who are found HIV-positive are provided psychosocial support and linked to treatment and care.
There are a number of good reasons to get HIV tested:
1. HIV testing is the only way to tell if you are infected.
2. If you are worried you have HIV and you find out you don’t, it can ease your mind. Then you can take steps not to put yourself at risk again!
3. If you have HIV, getting proper treatment can help protect your health. You can also learn how to protect others.
If you are sexually active, then consider getting tested yearly. This is especially important if you or any of your past or present sex partners have ever:
1. Had Sex without Condom: 100% sexual protection means NO SEX.
2. Shared needles or Syringes: Either for injecting drugs, tattooing, piercing or any reason.
3. Has more than one Sex partner? : If so, your chances of having been with someone who has HIV go up.
4. Had a blood transfusion using untested blood? : HIV is spread through infected blood
HIV tests comes with counselling, before and after, to let you know about the test, what the result mean and what you should do if you have HIV. The challenge before us is to make all HIV-infected people in the country aware of their status so that they adopt healthy lifestyles and prevent the transmission of HIV to others, and access life-saving care and treatment. Counselling and testing services are an important component of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the state.

 

(Issued in public interest by IEC Section, NSACS)