HIV Testing - Its Importance
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most dangerous and deadly diseases in the world. It not only affects the person physically and emotionally, but also affects the people around us. It is of utmost importance for every individual to take an HIV test for the sake of his health benefits, but also to prevent the disease from spreading. For example, if your partner has HIV infection, you will not only avoid having any kind of sexual relationship with him/her, but will also take your partner to the doctor for some kind of medication and treatment. Although there is no proper cure for this disease and eventually it takes the person to the death route, one can reduce the effects by proper treatment and medication, provided the disease is identified at the initial stage. So, in any case, testing for HIV is of paramount importance. Let us elaborate its importance vis-à-vis three different groups.
Importance to aged person
There is a common belief that an aged person does not need to go for HIV testing and oftentimes older people also feel the same when they have to get themselves tested. However, research has revealed that 15-20% of the HIV testing cases have shown positive results for aged people above 60 years who are said to be sexually active. This is because these people believe that they do not have anything else to be concerned with but later on face the dreaded consequences. Moreover, many elderly people are not even aware of the seriousness of the disease. By testing, these people can not only protect themselves and their partners, but also help in the prevention of the spread of this disease.
Importance to adolescents
The adolescents are in fact the most vulnerable group that gets affected by HIV. Because of their young age, this group often engage themselves in sexual activities without taking any proper precaution and as a result gets infected not only by AIDS, but a whole lot of other sexually transmitted diseases. The other reason why adolescents have an increased risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases is because they often have multiple sexual partners. It is important to see that this young group is tested for HIV frequently. It is also essential to impart sex education so that they not only learn to use protection, but will also help spread this disease and benefit the society.
Importance to the community
It is important for everyone to go for HIV testing irrespective of age or gender. It is a common phenomenon for both men and women to become sexually active more than one partner in the recent times. Most people neither go for a test while trying out sexual activities with a new partner, nor do they find out whether the person he/she is getting active with have any sexually transmitted diseases. This has led to an increase in the number of HIV-infected individuals today. Regular testing and proper sex education and awareness would undoubtedly lead to a drop in the number of HIV affected patients across the world. Therefore HIV testing benefits the community at large.