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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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WHY SHOULD I GET TESTED?
 The
most important reason for getting tested is to find out if you have HIV.
If you test negative, then in order to prevent getting the virus it is important
to protect yourself by either abstaining from having sex outside of a mutually
monogamous relationship, or practicing safer sex-using a latex barrier to
prevent fluid exchange-at all times.
If you test positive, then follow up with the appropriate medical treatment immediately
so that you can improve your health and learn how not to spread the virus.
Here are additional reasons why you should get tested:
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You cannot tell by physical appearance whether someone has HIV. So if
you have ever had sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) without a latex condom (lambskin
does not provide an adequate barrier), with a man or woman, then you have
put yourself at risk for getting HIV and you should get tested.
-
If you have ever shared needles when injecting any kind of drug or steroid,
you may have been exposed to HIV and you should get tested.
-
If you have had multiple sexual partners, you have a higher chance of
having contracted HIV and you should get tested.
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If you have ever been infected with herpes, hepatitis, gonorrhea, syphilis,
or any other sexually transmitted disease, or if you have had sex with
someone who has had a sexually transmitted disease, you are more likely
to contract HIV and you should get tested.
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee."
Isaiah 41:10
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET TESTED?
For many people, just thinking about taking an HIV test causes fear. Fear
of getting back positive results. Fear of telling their sexual partners that
they have HIV. Fear of living with the disease. And fear of dying. But if you
do not get tested you will never know whether or not you have HIV. And if you
are HIV positive, you run an extremely high risk of passing the virus on to
your sexual partner. In addition, your chances of coming down with a serious
illness are greatly increased.
"Fear or not, it's still necessary to get tested if you are at risk.
And the only way you're not at risk is if you don't have sex."
Bobby Jones
Gospel Singer and
National Host |
