Word of thanks

[worried23]

I realise that this is a new post and it is outside of my original thread, but I just wanted to make sure all of the moderators and helpful souls would read it.

I've read some of your blogs, profiles etc, as well as countless replies in the hopelessly redundant "Am I Infected" forum. I am completely blown away by your generosity, offering help, advice and solace to those who are fearful of a disease with which many of you have been diagnosed.

It takes courage, sympathy and an amazing amount of patience to offer your help on this forum - while many would shy away from such a task, you've chosen to use the information you've accumulated (many times through unfortunate circumstances) to help others.

I have thanked a number of you in my previous thread, but wanted you all to know that someone out there is really appreciative of, and impressed by, your generosity and inclination to help. Thanks.

[seiko]

I second that.  No matter the outcome of my upcoming HIV test, I also echo what has been said above.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You are all appreciated and not taken for granted.

[Ann]

worried,

Well, ok, you buttered me up. I'll let this thread stand, but only because you didn't ask any questions in it.

You're welcome. The best thanks you can give us is to not only learn from us yourself, but to also go out and make sure your family and friends learn more about hiv as well. If you have children of your own, or nieces and nephews, make sure they know the score when they start into their teenage years. We can't depend on schools to teach them. We are living in a world where hiv (and sex!) is a fact of life and they need to know about condoms and how hiv can infect anyone who does not use them. This knowledge may someday save their lives. 

Hiv awareness, like charity, begins at home.

Ann

[freshair]

"If you have children of your own, or nieces and nephews, make sure they know the score when they start into their teenage years. We can't depend on schools to teach them."

This is sadly true from my experience. I went to public schools and not once did they attempt to make us understand the reality of HIV. Why? I don't understand it. It's hard for teenagers to think anything bad will happen to them, and I feel pretty lucky that I never got HIV in the past, because I would have unprotected sex and not even think twice about it. I didn't have any cool older people in my life to tell me about it. I had never met anyone with HIV. I hadn't even heard of someone who had it. A better effort needs to be made to prevent this virus, speaking from my experience in semi-rural Texas.

[Ann]

Fresh,

We're seeing younger and younger teens becoming infected, so it beats the hell out of me why they aren't being taught. It's no use wagging the proverbial finger at them; if teenagers/young adults want to have sex, they're going to have it. The least we can do is inform them how to protect their health.

We are also seeing increasing rates of infection in the middle-aged, newly-single crowd too. People who haven't dated since the beginning of the epidemic. So if your mom or dad, auntie or uncle are starting to date again, put a word to the wise about condoms in their ear. You might get a slap in the chops for being cheeky, but you just might make them think twice before having unprotected intercourse too. To me, that's worth a slap upside the head any day.

Ann

[freshair]

we should be shouting from the rooftops, to the young AND old, that having unprotected sex can result in getting a harmful virus. the message needs to be dire and make a long-lasting impression. this, at the very least, should be done. it seems so simple, but i never received that message in my youth.