Hi all,

Have you been thinking about doing your first HIV test or do you want to do your regular checkups which you could not fit into your busy schedule, well, there are clinics that cater for those needs as they are open on weekends and in the evenings.

Please note the clinics that I am referring to are _base_d in London so if you live outside London or the UK please check availibility with your respective sexual health clinics.

Those of you have done it would agree with me that going to these clinics are a daunting experience because it amplifies a lot insecurities and fears which nothing could seem to dampen it.

First you would be scared whether you will pump into people you know, whether another label will be added to your shaken identity, whether your information would shared with others but the most buggering of it all is the big question of ‘WHAT IF I HAVE CUAGHT SOMETHING’ or the fears that come with it, god forbid if the outcome is positive.

However, what you will need to know is that these clinics know about your worries and they do everything to put you at ease whether it is the simple reassurance that you would require on those moments or what to do if anything goes wrong or matters of keeping your confidentiality.

I have recently met one of the coordinators of those clinics who had told me that the people you would meet at each point and time in these clinics are a mixed crowd, meaning that not everyone is for an HIV test as some are simply for a normal blood screening. The message here is that not everybody will know the reason that you are there.

And as for your confidentiality, they will not share your personal details with anybody and if you still do not trust them, remember that you could always give them what you want for instance giving part of your address such the postcode or simply using pseudonym or a fake name.

As the coordinator told me, to them you are only a number which is usually the registration number, which means that whoever sees this number will know nothing about your test results or anything that is to do with your identity.

So guys, if the first step of doing your HIV test is too much to bear, then go and do your Hepatitis C test first and if the result is negative, get your free vaccination.

Sexual health diseases are more than HIV so don't ever underestimate the damages other SOA’s could have on your body.

The good thing of having your test done is that if you are healthy you will do everything to keep and stay healthy and if you caught something you will get the necessary treatment you will need meaning you would benefit either way.

The other good thing of going to these clinics is that you will get your free supplies of free condoms and lubricants which come very good at hand considering the bad economic climate we are in right now!!

So PLEASE do not wait any longer guys and get it done as soon as possible, I am sure you will feel proud of yourself once you do it.

There is a another important thing that I would like to bring to your attention, imagine you have an accident while you were having sex with your partner or with someone in general, this does not mean that you have to disappear but to know that you could get a treatment that is called P.E.P which is available at hospitals.

Please remember though that you could only be treated if the exposure had happened within 72 hours by the time you get to the hospital as anything longer than that cannot and will not be treated. This treatment usually lasts up to 4 weeks.

I think it is our responsibility to look after ourselves, so please be responsible and a very good luck.

If you want to share your experience on this matter also feel free to do so