Am I Infected? (A Guide to Testing for HIV) en español
Why do I need to know my status?
With regard to HIV, IGNORANCE IS DEFINITELY NOT BLISS.
Not knowing your HIV status can be very dangerous. If you test positive, knowing your status as early as possible after seroconversion has taken place puts you in the best position to preserve your health, as well as that of your partner(s), and your children, if you have or are planning to have a family.
Effective medications and good health care are enabling many thousands who are HIV-positive to live successful and fulfilling lives. Not knowing if you are HIV positive means you are not getting the health care you need to stay well. You may also be putting others in your life at risk.
If you test negative, that knowledge can be a powerful incentive to consistently follow the guidelines that will help you to remain HIV negative. It can also spare you a lot of unnecessary worrying and stress that often occurs when someone's uncertain about their status.
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