The 2004-05 SMP staff wishes everyone a safe and happy summer!

AIDS scare awakens student's awareness

I am just like any other student roaming campus here at Floyd. I dress the same, I act the same, but there was an inner secret I held for some time. This secret, I felt would be so harmful if anyone found out I was sure to just die.

I thought I might have HIV or AIDS because one evening I was in a store going through a clothes bin and something sharp cut my hand, drawing blood. It felt sharp enough to be a needle. However, I cannot be sure of this, because I panicked and left the store without looking.

Shortly after, I decided to be tested. I sat down with my girlfriend and told her about the bin and asked her to go to Atlanta with me to be tested. The test would be confidential, relatively quick -- a few questions, a quick swab of the gums and poof you have your results in 20 minutes. Little did I realize what was about to happen.

When I arrived at AID Atlanta, it was only a few days after the supposed infection happened.

I went back to a room and was to speak with a counselor. I was so afraid that I was shaking.

The counselor explained to me that it takes between 30 and 90 days for HIV to be detected in the human body.

My first reaction was shock; I had just driven all the way to downtown Atlanta for nothing, no closure at all! The lady explained to me all the ways of getting this monster, what it would be like to live with it if I did test positive and finally the outlook of my future if I had the disease.

She then told me to wait until the 30-day mark had passed and come back for testing. She also advised me to keep busy and try not to think about it or look up symptoms either, for I would think I had it for sure then. So I took her advice, I stayed busy. I only told my family, a few of my co-workers and my adviser from the �Six Mile Post.� They were all sympathetic and understanding.

When the day came for me to take the test I was so afraid of what the test results might be. I was asked the questions, then I did the swab of the gum, was given a number and just waited. I waited for the answer that would determine the fate of my life.

When the 20 minutes had gone by I was called in, and told I had tested negative.

It was pure relief; I felt that a burden had been lifted off my shoulders.

I was advised that I needed to come back at the 3-month mark and be tested again, just to be sure. I am pretty positive I do not have HIV but this will give me peace of mind.

My experience opened my eyes in many ways. I have since decided to become more involved with HIV and AIDS causes and hope one day to work with a center. I encourage everyone to be safe with sex, needles and all other ways to contract HIV and AIDS. It�s certainly not something you want.

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