I have been searching to get myself tested for HIV, as per class assignment. I have been searching in my area, and there is the local health clinic here in Bell County. This office offers HIV testing for $10. If you wanted a full STD screening it was an additional $50!
I was shocked to hear such information! I feel that price is a bit high to be testing people for diseases. If we want people to be healthy and promote safe sex, then people need to know what they have. So if the average person is searching to be tested before engaging in sexual acts, they may have to save some money before hand. Not only is the price unpleasant, but the fact that the Bell County Health Department ONLY offers STD screening on Thursdays at 1:00 PM. I have been reading around and seeing advertisements about getting tested with your partner together, before the two of you have sex. The health department backs you into a specific time slot, which decreases the chances of people getting tested before engaging in sex. What if the couple works during this time, like many normal people do since its mid day on a week day? Perhaps if the testing was more available and offered at a lower price, more people would take advantage of it.
Now it's time for a fun fact of the week on my research topic- HIV and students!
This is my topic of interest that I will research each week and update you on tid bits I find out about the subject.
Did you know?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association estimate that 1 in 500 college students are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).**
I think back to my auditorium class of biology at UCF that can hold 350 people. I bet every student in that room thinks it can't happen to them. Well it can, and it will if you're not careful and take the time to protect yourself.
**Read more: http://www.stateuniversity.com/blog/permalink/College-Students-and-HIV-AIDS.html#ixzz0RE5vA7Ob
OMG!! That's shocking to hear. And then we wonder why don't people test for it before engaging in a sexual activity??? Well, I guess everyone shares the blame then, don't you think? But yeah I totally agree with you; someone should look into all of this and maybe change the hours and the pricing and make it affordable and possible for everyone. You see, this is how I think about it, HIV/AIDS infects anyone, so it doesn't just happen to "certain" people, it could happen to anyone, and with the growing number of cases in the U.S.A, it's the whole nation's concern, so we all have to work together to eliminate it, but charging high prices and having nonflexible times isn't really what I had in mind for "together"!!! It's very good that you mentioned that Ashley, I enjoyed reading this post:)
ReplyDeleteI am also shocked!! That is crazy to think. Probably because I was one of them that thought it could never happen to me or a loved one. If you've read my blog my friend just recently found out she was HIV positive! Never in a million years did I think she would have HIV. Being aware and updated on any information given about HIV is very important and should not be charged for trying to find out.
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