If everyone was practising safe sex then you could argue that there is no need to be tested. What about your children and partners? How could you live with yourself putting them at risk? Know your status and then you can make an informed decision on your future and those it impacts on.
Lucy, London
It is up to an individual to choose if he/she wants to know his/her status not the government. What Malawi is doing is encouraging people to take a test for their own benefit, not door to door testing where one feels like is forced.
Khabiso Nkune, Maseru
I do not know my HIV status and I do not intend to have an HIV test anytime soon. Indeed it will be a relief if I get tested and it is negative, but if it is positive, the thought of it will kill me before I am due to die.
Abigail, Accra - Ghana
An advantage of an HIV test, apart from removal of uncertainty, is that one becomes willing to increase his or her precautionary method, and if you are infected, work against it turning full blown.
Alete-Omoni Ejike Rapt, P-H, Nigeria
An advantage of an HIV test, apart from removal of uncertainty, is that one becomes willing to increase his or her precautionary method, and if you are infected, work against it turning full blown.
Alete-Omoni Ejike Rapt, P-H, Nigeria
Two months ago I went for a follow-up HIV test after waiting for the window period to expire. The nurse made fun of me for coming back for yet another test. In South Africa, even medical practitioners need to be educated about HIV stigma.
Steven, Cape Town, South Africa
It is always good to get tested. It gives you the information you need for planning your life ahead of time.
Samuel Arkebe, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
Having a country-wide scheme for HIV testing in Malawi is a positive gesture but the question is, what kind of testing are they going to use because most of the time these testing centres are just using rapid tests and then they report. It would have been better to do a confirmatory test. The other thing is, what is the data gathered in such projects used for, does it benefit the average Malawian in the end?
Joseph Fulakeza, Blantyre, Malawi
I still had to endure two HIV tests before I was given any life insurance cover.
Louis
I'm a South African who has been living in the UK for the last five years. Despite this, I still had to endure two HIV tests before I was given any life insurance cover. They explained to me that I was to do the test not because of my age or race, but because I have an African origin.
Louis, London
Does taking an HIV test find a cure for AIDS? I don't see any reason why I should bother taking a test. How would I cope with stress if I found out that I am positive? No counsellors to give me emotional support. Apart from that, discrimination is another issue. It's better for me to stay in darkness.
Sekunjalo Ka-Nyathi, UK
The only problem is that testing system is at times not reliable. So, many people do not trust the system in Africa. It's very good for one to know their HIV/Aids status so you can know how to conduct yourself.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, Ghana
I fully support the idea of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). At the rate the virus is being transmitted in Africa, where sex is likened to entertainment by young people due to lack of proper entertainment and leisure facilities, it is only proper that mainly young people know their sero status.
Wonder Msiska, Birmingham, UK
When I came to the USA, there was no escaping it because I got pregnant and a test was compulsory
Mary
When I was still back home in Zambia, it was very hard getting the nerve to go and have an HIV test but when I came to the USA, there was no escaping it because I got pregnant and a test was compulsory. And also for me to become a permanent resident, I had to do the test. I guess, it would be better if more people tested themselves.
Mary, Illinois, USA
Getting HIV test is as easy as ABC, all you feel is a pinch of pain in your hand when the needle goes into your vein for a tube of blood. I had the test done and thank God it was negative. It's a good idea to have the test done, so that if someone is positive for the disease; prompt treatment can be rendered.
Olamide Tubi, New York
I am a Malawian/Nigerian living in England. I have been tested twice; once during pregnancy - as is required in UK - and once for a life insurance policy. I have worked in a laboratory in Malawi and I must say that testing procedures are pretty good. I find that the attitude among Malawians generally is: "We all have to die of something, HIV is just one of the things". I know of people who get tested pretty often; a negative result seems to be licence to continue unsafe sex.
Eyewu Walker-Nthenda, London, Uk
A few years ago while living in Tanzania, a doctor recommended that I take an HIV test, as I was sick with something that he could not diagnose. Thankfully, it was negative as I expected it to be. But the period of waiting for the result was very hard. Considering I am from the UK where HIV education has been widespread since the 1980s, I was surprised that I could not share my worries.
Gdava Woods, Kampala, Uganda
I think it is a way forward for Lesotho and Africa as a whole. In my town, Kaduna, the test was conducted free early this year, but I was scared stiff to go for it. I foresee a low turn-out as many are always scared to know their status. Awareness is the key, Africans need to know that HIV test does not necessarily beget a HIV Positive result. I think I have mustered enough courage to go for the test now as this will help me to be confident in whatever I want to do.
Kingsley Obika, Kaduna, Nigeria
I tested positive for the virus, and although I was devastated for a few days, I decided to take control of my life
Sara Ncube
I'm a 34 year old woman originally from Zimbabwe. After losing many close friends and neighbours to the Aids pandemic, I decided to have the test in 1993. I tested positive for the virus, and although I was devastated for a few days, I decided to take control of my life and know all about the disease. This was the best decision I made, I knew I tested positive, but had a positive attitude. Now, 13 years later, I'm a successful Investment Banker with a major firm in Toronto. My one wish is for everyone who is HIV positive to have access to medication. And please, if you're positive, do not spread the virus intentionally.
Sara Ncube, Toronto, Canada
I believe people should know their HIV status and should be tested periodically. I don't engage in what is commonly defined as "risky" behaviour, but there are things such as improperly sterilised medical equipment that might infect me. Because I believe that I'm infection-free, I give blood regularly, so I know my status.
Peter Olsen, Columbia, USA
Yes, I had an HIV test after my fiancée had an affair. Thankfully, I am fine but I was scared witless by the nurse who did the pep talk before the test. I was left feeling that it was inevitable that I would contract HIV as a result. The anxiety of waiting for the results is by far the worst.
Anon, GVA
I just did and everything is fine. It is very important to know one's status. I don't see anything wrong with the testing procedure. If you and your partner are faithful to each other, there is nothing to worry about. Knowing your status gives you peace of mind whether good or bad. I strongly recommend everyone to take the test.
Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA
I have known my HIV status for as long as I've been sexually active
Ches
A close family friend was the second South African known to have died of Aids. He passed away when I was 11 and it made an impact on my life. I have known my HIV status for as long as I've been sexually active.
Ches, originally Cape Town, South Africa
Mass HIV testing will be a disaster. HIV tests are NOT specific to HIV. There are many factors documented in medical literature that can cause repeatedly false positive results, including vaccinations, malaria, TB, pregnancy and many other health conditions. HIV test instructions even warn that prior pregnancy and other non-specific cross-reactions can cause repeatedly false positives. This is why the estimates of infection are so high in Africa, especially when tests are done at ante-natal clinics. Mass testing of the population will make many unjustly believe they have a deadly virus when they don't.
Mike Hersee, Luton, UK
It wasn't an easy decision to submit to a second HIV test after I sustained a needle-stick injury at work. Thank God, the result dispelled all my anxiety. At least knowing my status now makes me more responsible than ever. It is still better to know your HIV status, no matter the outcome of the test; the sooner you know, the better!!!
Ngwasi Chibikom, Buea, Cameroon
There is nothing as terrifying as those few days when you are sitting around watching your life flash before your eyes while you wait to go back and get your results.
Wangari Muigai, Nairobi, Kenya
I'm 32 year old single African woman who has been tested twice. Both times, I was tested at a local Nairobi hospital and did so voluntarily. But it was not free, I was very scared. There is nothing as terrifying as those few days when you are sitting around watching your life flash before your eyes while you wait to go back and get your results. I believe the Church and Imams should stop preaching against condoms. Organized religion is Africa's worst enemy when it comes to AIDS.
Wangari Muigai, Nairobi, Kenya
I have had several HIV tests in order to be a permanent resident in the United States. There is always a certain degree of doubt involved before one gets the results. Faster turnaround on tests have greatly reduced this very worrying period.
Yusupha Jow, Gambia
I really agree with this campaign. It is so sad that AIDS is still such a big killer .I think anyone who takes a HIV test is doing something really good for themselves and the people around them. Well
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