Contacting Partners

[Surrendertothis]

This is the scariest part for me. What if they can figure it out?

[Jim Allen]

Its normally anonymous, so you should not have to worry.

Its if you ask me the right thing to do. Last thing you want on your mind is that they are infected and become ill due to not being treated or that they are unaware infect someone else.

Jim 

[ack55]

CAUTION: I had a terrible experience with this. I thought, "wow how awesome that I can be responsible and alert partners and remain anonymous". Until I woke up one morning to texts from 2/4 of the guys that were contacted. I moved in the last year. And when the guys were contacted, the number had the area code of my new city. Therefore it was obvious and clear who the person was that had them contacted. When I spoke to the health department they didn't even know what to say. I was so angry. Obviously this isn't going to be an issue for everyone, but in my case it was. Luckily the situation went better than it could've. But on top of dealing with a new diagnosis, it was not fun dealing with this situation. I don't regret having them contacted, but if I would've known that it wasn't going to be anonymous, I would have contacted them myself, rather than getting unexpected texts and experiencing that panic. Hope this helps.

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Normally its anonymous, I am sorry to hear it is not in your location or state and that you were not told that by the service upfront.

Partner notification is key though.

Jim

[harleymc]

Of course some people will work out who you are.  It would be blindingly obvious if you are the only person they have had sex with since their last test.

But what they don't know until they are tested, is if they gave HIV to you.

You're doing the right thing, you got a test, they didn't. Where's the care and love from someone who doesn't get regular sexual health screening.

Hold your head up high. Be proud that you are a responsible and loving leader of your community

[leatherman]

it wasn't going to be anonymous

actually the contact was anonymous. There was no name or identifying information given out about you. The health dept area code in no way identifies you. Your partners simply assumed that it was you, as it was not obvious or clear. I'm assuming you must have outed yourself by responding back to them in the affirmative, when you could have simply feigned ignorance. 

be careful of internalized stigma. You're not walking around with a big red letter "H" on your forehead, you know. Don't assume people know anything about you and don't confirm their assumptions, unless you want to.