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 Click here to view the
HIV Testing Campaign video.
Contents |
A Message from Pernessa C. Seele |
The Black Church Lights The Way |
Why Should I Get Tested?
Stop Living In The Dark |
Download your Toolkit |
Get Your Church Involved In HIV Testing |
Register Your Church
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STOP LIVING IN THE DARK!
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If you do not take an HIV test, you could be HIV positive and not know it.
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If you do not test for HIV you could unknowingly infect your sexual partner
with the virus.
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If you do not take an HIV test, you could be getting sick from an opportunistic
infection caused by the virus and not realize it.
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If you do not take an HIV test and you are positive, you could develop full
blown AIDS if you do not seek immediate medical treatment.
"Our church has been providing on-site HIV testing for
five years. We are proud to be among the thousands of churches lighting the way!"
Rev. Marvin McMickel,
Antioch Baptist Church,
Cleveland, OH
BE BOLD - GET TESTED!
 1.
Be bold. Stop putting it off! Go get tested today!
2. Spread the word. Tell everyone-your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors-to
get tested for HIV!
3. If you find out you are HIV positive, go get medical treatment. 4. Bring a family member, close friend, pastor or church member with you for
support to get tested.
I was tested for everything while upgrading life insurance; an HIV test was a
part of that.
Donald Lawrence,
Gospel Singer
WHERE DO I GO TO TAKE AN HIV TEST? There are a number of places where you can go for HIV testing. It's a very
easy and simple test. You can ask your primary doctor for an HIV test. Or you
can test at any number of local hospitals or healthcare clinics. You can even
test for free through your city's public health department. In addition, there
are many HIV/AIDS service organizations that provide neighborhood testing for
free.
For more information on how and where you can test for HIV, to receive HIV services,
or to learn more about how you and your church can help fight HIV/AIDS in the
Black community, call: CDC HIV Testing Hotline
800-342-2437
800-243-7889 (TTY)
TAKING THE TEST By taking an HIV test you can find out if you have the HIV virus in your body.
You don't have to wonder or guess. You can rid yourself of your fears. So be bold
and take the necessary steps to improve your health. Step 1. Make the call and set up an appointment. Contact your
church, local healthcare clinic, public healthcare department, or HIV/AIDS agency
and find out where and when you can take the test. Step 2. Talk to a counselor. When you take your test there will
be a counselor available for you to talk to about your fears and concerns. So
don't be afraid to speak up or to reveal your true sexual history. You will be
in a private, completely confidential setting and he or she will be able to tell
you all about taking the test and will answer any questions you may have. The
counselor is there to help you, not to judge you. Step 3. Go back for your results. Don't let fear prevent you
from finding out whether or not you have HIV. It can take as little as a few minutes,
or a few days, to find out your results so hang in there and follow-up. Step 4. Learn about HIV. If you test positive, find out how you can
learn to live with HIV and prevent spreading the virus to others. If you test
negative, learn how you can stay that way and prevent getting the virus.
WHAT IF I FIND OUT I'M HIV POSITIVE?
If you find you test positive for HIV it means that you have the HIV virus
in your body. This does not mean that you have AIDS. It does not mean that you
will die. But it does mean that you can spread the virus to other people. So you
should: * Seek medical treatment to prevent illness and learn how to stay in good health. *Seek counseling so that you can learn how to prevent spreading the virus to
others and learn about living with the virus.
And live! You can live a long, happy life if you seek the proper support
and care. |
