One of the commonest occurring sexually transmitted diseases is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is prevalent around the world. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. About 95 per cent of cases of HIV are that of HIV-1. Only a few countries of West Africa witness cases of HIV-2.
The only way to know whether you are infected with HIV is to undergo a test. If you are wondering, “how to get tested for HIV in Arlington,” then worry not. Your nearest STD clinic conducts HIV test. You can also test yourselves for other STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, herpes, hepatitis, HPV, and others.
The best part is that the clinic keeps the identity of patients confidential upon request. So if you are feeling embarrassed to have your name in medical records for testing, you can undergo a test and do the billing anonymously.
History of HIV
The United States of America has witnessed cases of HIV since the mid 1970’s, as per a few reports. It is also believed that HIV may have been transferred to humans from chimpazees when humans hunted these animals and ate their meat. The origin of HIV is said to be Central Africa. Slowly, the virus spread from the African continent to other continents across the world.
HIV back then and HIV now
A lot has changed in the medical world with regard to treating and managing HIV. Alas, not much has changed among societies. People still look down upon HIV+ patients. HIV testing is still a hushed up affair. Having HIV is still regarded as being “dirty” or “immoral.”
Earlier, people believed that HIV can spread through touch and they refused to come near HIV+ patients. At least this has changed today. This is thanks to various awareness campaigns and moves made by organizations and the governments of different countries.
Yet, a person would still not want to talk about HIV among their friends and family. Looking at this situation, STD clinics have a policy of keeping their patients’ personal information confidential. So, if you don’t want to discuss about HIV testing with your family physician and don’t know how to get tested for HIV in Arlington, worry not. You can contact your nearest STD clinic, as mentioned in the beginning.
ART
The medical world has progressed impressively and today HIV+ patients can live a normal life. The treatment called ART (anti-retroviral therapy) is found to be quite effective in keeping HIV load in check.
This helps a patient lead a healthier life, even resume his/her sexual activities without infecting their partner.
However, as a patient, you must be particular about your doctor’s instructions and continue the treatment regularly to get the best results.
ART involves a combination of drugs that a patient must take daily to help keep the viral load suppressed, which is the best possible treatment in case of HIV. This is because HIV is an incurable infection. Yet, it can be managed well with an appropriate treatment plan.
Being alert about symptoms
One of the factors that play a role in managing HIV well is the proactive nature of the person with regard to symptoms. When you get early symptoms like HIV rash you must immediately consult a doctor. Walk in your nearest STD clinic and talk about your symptoms with the doctor. No appointment is required to consult a doctor here.
The doctor may suggest undergoing HIV test. This can be the beginning of a new life for you, as treating HIV infection on time is the key to a healthier life. If left untreated, HIV can turn into the deadly AIDS, for which there is no treatment as of now.
