The final Week!!

Did You Know?

There is more to telling your partner that you are HIV positive than just blurting out that you have the virus. There needs to be a process in place, a plan made, and a firm foot on the ground when the news is broken. I feel that this is a very important topic, because it shouldn’t just be about the laws that ‘force’ someone to tell their significant other, but instead people should be armed with knowledge that can actually assist them in telling their partner. The first thing that a person needs to do is make sure that there is a time set aside for the discussion to take place. This isn’t a conversation that is just going to take 5 minutes and then go away. That person is going to need to process that information and form emotions. Speaking of emotions, you need to be prepared for any emotion that your partner could have. With you being prepared for their emotions you need to try and keep your own emotions at bay. With all of this information being put on the table, the topic of safe sex needs to be address. By addressing using condoms it could further help prevent any further transmission of the virus sexually. I read the majority of these ideas in an article that made a very important part of this discussion. The idea that the partner needs to obtain their own string of HIV tests is a key component.

The Final Week!!

I can’t believe this semester is just about complete. This class has changed the way I look at different aspects of my life. Not only am I happy for what I have, but I no longer take it for granted. I say this because, I have learned that things can change drastically in such a short time with things like HIV. From simple facts like how the virus is transmitted, to life altering medications that need to be taken to keep you alive, this class has opened my eyes. As happy that I am that summer is around the corner, it is a little bit sad that there will not be anymore ‘questions of the weeks.’ Those weekly discussions were key to keeping my mind expanding. These hypothetical situations that were put in front of me gave me a chance to seriously think what I would do in different HIV related situations. I can strongly say that I have grown as a person from taking this course. What started as just another class to take turned into truly learning and appreciating the knowledge. This course allowed me to educate my friends as well. I was able to get two of my friends tested and they now are more willing to practice safe sex. I still want to participate in some sort of HIV organization which I will more than likely look into this summer.

References
Palmer, R. (2008, June 20). How to Tell Your Partner that You Have HIV. Retrieved April 14, 2010, from article alley: http://www.articlealley.com/article_559202_39.html