A few weeks back, I had the scariest two days of my life. The test that I took was a matter of life and death. The results could dramatically change my life. Although I feared the outcome and a potential failure, I was sure in myself and did all the necessary studying to pass. After the test I got my results and did a classic Maury dance. This test, my STD test, came back negative and I now could go back to a life of debauchery felt a little calmer, knowing that it was all good. I was glad that the Get Yourself Tested campaign by MTV caught my eye and put a bug in my ear to smarten up and check myself before I wrecked myself.
I have a lot of friends who are adamant about getting tested. I got emails from friends telling stories about women people dealt with and what he heard they had, scaring the rest of us to death. I saw the PLENTY facebook groups and causes for STD awareness. It hit home because it showed you never know who’s walking around with what. I thought about all the young boys and men I mentored in JHS and HS, and how I promoted sexual intelligence and responsibility. It dawned on me (no Danity Kane) that getting tested personified sexual intelligence and responsibility, and I needed to practice what I preached. I needed to get over my laziness, walk across the street to church get in the car, and get tested!
I take personal health very seriously. As a person with every African American health issue alive and well within my family tree (diabetes, hypertension, etc), I always strive to be as healthy as possible. I monitor my health consistently and get physicals every 3-6 months. I always avoided forgot to get the blood test though. Not the one where they prick your finger and check your blood glucose levels, either. I’m talking the battery of tests to determine if you have deep rooted ailments, including STDs and HIV (yes I know HIV is a STD but the Monster deserves its own category). I’m not sure why I never requested this every physical. I think at first my ignorance led me to believe that the prick test [||] took care of all of that. I also know I’m sexually responsible, so what’s the problem? Nothing in this life is 100% guaranteed, THAT’s the problem! Also, those same tests can find other issues unaware to you (muscle issues, low iron in blood, liver issues). So why did I hesitate, even with all this knowledge? Fear. Fear of hearing “Streetz, you ARE the Father! have xyz”
[youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJdM5jWVS-g]
I feared blood tests just because I feared the outcome. I could be 100% sure that I didn’t have a STD or HIV, but the chance that it could come back positive scared me. My mother always says “you never know what life will throw you”, and sometimes we think ignorance is bliss. However, if you let diseases of any kind, let alone STDs, linger in your system without treatment, the chances of your recovery become slim. I got over my initial fear of doctors at an early age. I was so paranoid that anytime I got a funny itch or coughed wrong, I RAN to the doctor! Blood tests, for some reason, were the exception to the rule. Getting my tests done, however, lifted a burden off my shoulders, confirmed that I passed the test with a 65, and that nothing was wrong. Either way I was prepared to take whatever precautions and steps necessary going forward, and when you are sexually active, or if you share needles, you better be in the know of self!
As adults and sexually active individuals, we have a responsibility to get tested. If you are confident that you have no STD issues, you make your partner comfortable and you attain peace of mind. We also have a responsibility to family, friends, and ourselves, to monitor our personal health and take care of any issues that arise. Early treatment of any ailment leads to better results. You don’t want to be that person who unknowingly passes diseases to partners because you failed to get tested. You don’t want to be that person who takes chances with partners because you “trust them” Your life is so precious, we aren’t even sure if we get more than one. So why waste it? I’ve lost friends and family to STDs and diseases that could’ve been treated/prevented. I would hate for anyone to experience this, so if you haven’t gotten tested, please do so. Knowledge is power.
SBM Community, is there still a fear of doctors? How do you overcome it? Does Tussin actually cure all?
Streetz
start getting tested after this every 3 months. I'm kind of lucky because I got tested twice as a virgin so it changed my mentality about getting tested. I try to get tested at least three times each year with a new partner and after we break up. I still get scared as hell though every single time.
Waiting on test results is scary as hell- It's like you know you've done nothing risky but you second guess yourself like, Did I really (not do anything risky)?????
I don't have a fear of doctors, I'll got in a red hot minute. My gyno makes it much easier for me toget tested for HIV- when I go for my yearly, she tests me for ALL DISEASES. I don't know why but going to the clinic made me nervous.
I used tobe so terrified to get tested, that instead of going to the clinic or doctor, I would donate blood/plasma and wait. If I heard anything there was a problem, heard nothing there wasn't anything wrong. About 3 years ago my doctor's office insisted that I just have the battery of tests. I did. From then on I just let them draw blood every so often and complete the complete work up and wait for nothing in the mail. Cause obviously my doctor's office goes by the no news is good news policy.
When I was a kid, i got sick sometime and had to get shots. Somehow the needle broke in my a** and ever since that time I've had a major phobia for anything needles. So going for tests that include blood work had always been ahell no for me. Till my last boyfriend (whom i really loved) told me that it aint enough to just use condoms; we had to be absolutely positive that we was negative. At first I refused, but when he took me to get his results after getting tested I realized that it was not fair to him. More importantly, how would I take case of myself if I didn't know my status! So i finally went… i almost died waiting for the results, I was so nervous. And amen I had passed with flying colors and go for testing at least twice a year.
What a coincidence. I'm in the drs office for my annual exam right now. Pap and full std panel, here I come! It should be treated as a normal part of one's regular checkup.
I'm glad you wrote this post….you'd be surprised to hear that there are still dumbasses out there that think they can't get HIV because they're not gay, they pull out in time, etc
Good post Big Bro. (Even though it is hump day and i'm thinking that happy hour is out of the question I need to come home and meditate on the bottles of wifing in the club i've been purchasing.) I've been preaching since college that 1) You should be tested at least once a year, 2) If you are not in a monogamous relationship, (women need to give that honest side eye to their man), then twice a year. 3) And make sure your doctor tests you for everything, not just the typical.
Also, as a news alert would Black folk please stop undermining HPV… i've heard a few women professing lately that, "It just lasts one pap and then it's gone." Bitch are you smoking reefer?! That can cause cervix cancer. Now what i'm supposed to do with a woman who can't have kids? (Just jokes). But seriously, cervix cancer or any other related diseases from HPV are real.
Last but not least, and this goes without saying… a lot of nigras be going raw dog three strokes. We had a comment on one of my posts about that earlier. Real talk to the fellas, that's how these scuddlebuckets get you locked up with 33% of your check for life. Real talk to the ladies, that's how these ignent negros mess your sex game all up with diseases.
And you gotta think about a person who attempts to go raw, like how many times have they done this before. Especially when you only been together for a short while, or you not even together at all.
As Weezy, preaches but doesn't practice…. ALWAYS STRAPPED.
You know what's crazy Doc: There have been MANY times when I wanted to go Kojack in a chick, just for the feeling alone, but I quickly come to my senses when visions of child support dance in my head.
Its even crazier how some people have raw sex and think it's as normal as brushing your teeth in the morning! I know there's people who've done it, both on purpose and accidentally. Either way, you know risks. This one time <del>in band camp</del> I was dealing with a woman and when it got time to do the do, she was about to hop on space mountain without a harness. I stopped the presses right there and had to inquire as to whether or not her mental faculties had been compromised! She seemed to look at me like I WAS CRAZY The craziest thing about that whole exchange? She was a NURSE!
Nuff Sd!
About HPV…If that Gardisil shot was not $125 per shot..I'd be on that….Why do they make it nearly impossible for ppl to get care that they need…damn…
my insurance covered mine. you should check to see what the county is covering. i got the shot at the same visit as my annual pap, i'll be damned it it didn't come back as positive. thankfully the last few pap haven't came back with anything.
Yeah…I had to get over the whole waiting period when it came to STD tests, but luckily there is a clinic here that has extended hours and results in 20 minutes. I usually wait around for the test while talking to other patients (some of the stories you hear are crazy!) and then get a printout of all the results. I have no problem if someone were to ask me "have you been tested?" Call me responsible and all, but the scary part is:
1. Alot of people don't have copies of their own results
2. A lot of people don't care to know
3. A lot of people don't ask.
The black community, although emphasizing the hazards of HIV, seem to discount HPV and HSV, which are far more prevalent but not as deadly. Another thing that grinds my gear is people who have kids all willyl nilly, and their excuse is always "it just happens" or some shite like that. There is a such thing as family planning people, and most of our community doesn't plan anything. As I tell the high schoolers I used to teach…condoms are cheap, kids aren't.
PREACH Streetz! Knowing is beautiful. Be responsible with your health and that of your partners. @Dr J, great comments. The almighty side eye knows all! lmao!
Great post. I remember my freshman year of college being fearful of getting tested. I just went in to get an HIV test for my job but the doctor insisted on a full workup. I had no STD but I was eventually diagnosed with lupus. An STD test literally saved my life and not for the reasons I thought.
I think a lot people would rather be ignorant about not just thier sexual health but thier health in general. I do lab work at a clinic and they are a lot of people who don't any idea what and untreated STD can do. They're like I don't have AIDS or HIV but sleep HPV and other STDs. I have no shame in getting myself tested for everything. I want to know my entire bill of health.
a someone who is closely involved in the health field i think it is very important to at the very least get a yearly physical. just because we are young (relative) doesn't mean that things can't go wrong with our bodies.
for instance. i bet most men didn't know that starting at around 16 they should start doing a monthly test for testicular cancer. just like a breast exam males should feel their testes for lumps. testicular cancer is most prominent in men 16-34.
as far as std's are concerned i just implore people to be safe and know your status. HIV isn't the only std out there that can kill you or seriously alter your lifestyle. those people in those valtrex commercials aren't really that happy.
LOL@ Tunde and the Valtrex commercials. But on a serious note, society is beginning to make us think that it is ok to take part in risky and irresponsible sexual behavior because your life will still go on, you can still be happy and ride your bike on the lake with your partner…Ummm, whatever happen to precautions?
Its so easy to get caught up though. For example, is it ok to have unprotected sex while in a long term committed relationship? w/ Birth control obviously and if both people get tested and are clean? It boils down to trust…But is it really alright? People change!
I'm certainly not perfect. But I definitely try my best to stay as healthy as possible. Getting that invasive PAP smear every 6 months, blood test (diabetes & Hypertension runs in my family too), breast exam…ect.
But waiting for results does suck! They need to work on making it instant!
whats crazy is my last Dr. told me I'm paranoid because I always ran to him with issues. lol. I definitely changed Dr's though #noshots to him. I just needed a grow-up docutor that hears me out ya dig?
I think its easiest to get tested as a part of all of your other test. All they gotta do is take an extra vial of blood while you're already there.
I remember when me and my squad all went to get tested together. Kneegrows was scared as hell
I'm kinda surprised by this post. I always get tested, like Nicki said perhaps its easier for women because you get tested for all STDs with your annual at the OB-GYN. I also used to go out separately to the lab for blood work specifically for HIV. at my primary care doctor they have the option of testing your blood workf or the herp and HIV as well. and I let them, why not? my insurance is covering it. When I was a student and not visiting my regular doc, I would go to Planned Parenthood or the student health center. I'm kinda hypochondriac by nature so I've always been proactively in the doctor's office. LOL. Even paid for private insurance when I didn't have a job. Even with the routine, you are still kinda anxious for your results, though. That's just the nature of waiting for anything.
I definitely agree with you. I get physicals quarterly. I watch what I eat. I'm hyper aware of my health status. My cholesterol levels are those of a god. lol. I think that anticipation is the scariest feeling, no matter whether its 20 hours or 20 minutes. It still boggles my mind how people still refuse to get checked.
There are a lot of dipsh*t doctors out there, which is why I'm wary of a lot of them. Their reactions and sometimes how they tell you something can be a determination on whether or not you feel comfortable enough to keep going to them. I think the last good doctor I had was when I was a teenager. Now…it seems like most of them are insensitive and uncaring so…I tend to take care of myself and stay the hell out of hospitals. I think that's what keeps a lot of brothas out of there too…the impending doom knowing that the doctor is going to say something real f*cked up even though you think you're fine.
I had a friend that got into a relationship with a guy. They were together for about…2 months. They made the decision to not use condoms since she was on the pill. (Dumbest decision EVER.) A week after they broke up she went to the doctor for her annual check up and found out that she had Chlamydia. She immediately told him about her test results and told him that he should get tested, and his response was, "O…ok thanks for telling me. But i'm good, I kno i ain't got nothin." Of course she called me upset and confused because she knew that she got it from this dude because she hadn't had chex with anyone for a year prior to him. Smh…that just shows you how irresponsible so many people are about their health and the health of others…i make it a policy for both of us to get tested before intamacy! You just never know! Plus…a lot of STI's lie dormant in your body for days…weeks…months…even years….
I think the dude went to get tested. He was just tryin to save face and ish. At least I hope that was the case.
nah dude is a dirty dick digger son. [||]
I'm inclined to disagree…i really think he just doesn't care…
I'm in college, and it just amazes me how reckless people are. Swapping bodily fluids just isn't something that should be done casually! 1 in 4 Americans currently has an STD according to Planned Parenthood I think, and with HIV/AIDS out there you'd think people would keep a Trojan on hand at all times.
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