Today I had the opportunity to be tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. I drove to the University Village Apartments and filled out the necessary paper work. As I answered the questions on the page I started thinking about the probability of my test being positive. I thought of the ways that I had been exposed possibly to this deathly virus and it made my heart pound. I looked around at the room full of students my age, and wondered if they felt the slight panic that I was feeling. As my turn for testing came closer, I felt more and more at ease, because everyone else was so calm. Then I entered the room where I was to be tested. I hadn’t asked what the test consisted of, but assumed it involved blood work. I was surprised and relieved to know it was just and oral antibody test.
The person preforming my test was very personable and informative. She seemed to be genuinely interested in my health and well-being, although we had jest met seconds before. I swabbed the tester in between my upper lip and teeth then did the same with my lower lip. It was a very strange sensation. Then I was instructed to leave the testing room and come back to see my results after twenty minutes. I then waited patiently with my friend who was also waiting for her results. After the time was up I returned to the testing room and got my results. Finally I was awarded with a Starbucks gift card for participating.
This experience affected me positively. I now feel better informed about the dieses. I am better educated on how it is contracted and know the importance staying protected. I used to think that you could get it through saliva or casual contact. After being tested I see the strong importance of knowing if you or significant other is infected, because you cannot generally tell by just looking at someone. One may be infected and not even know it. It is crucial to know if you do have it so the correct medical attention can be given.
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