Comments on naijablog: HIV testing

Check out this introduction article on HIV test:HI...

2006-06-30T02:15:00.000+01:00

Check out this introduction article on HIV test:
HIV Test

I am sorry if I caused any offence with my comment...

2006-04-13T08:28:00.000+01:00

I am sorry if I caused any offence with my comment; I was just intrigued.

Exactly anonymous thank you. In the UK, once a ne...

2006-04-12T14:29:00.000+01:00

Exactly anonymous thank you. In the UK, once a needle has been used, it is stubbed on a hot plate to ruin it. It is rare to see such practice in Nigeria. Every time I have a blood test and see the needle and syringe being unwrapped from the packet, I have a fantom thought that the needle may have been used before and simply repackaged. Experts say that the HIV virus cannot last for a many minutes if infected blood is left on an object (it thrives in bodies, and dies outside them), but still, even 'educated' me has superstitions..

The point is, having an HIV test says nothing about one's stance on monogamy, polygamy, casual sex etc.

To Kingsley: I don't think marriage nor fidelity i...

2006-04-12T12:00:00.000+01:00

To Kingsley: I don't think marriage nor fidelity is a protection against HIV. There are different sources for infection. However, I think it is a sound decision to get tested whenever their is doubt especially persistance ill-health - at least you rule it out.

he he he! Kingsley, let the man be and stop readin...

2006-04-12T10:19:00.000+01:00

he he he! Kingsley, let the man be and stop reading 'syllogical' meanings into everything

I am a bit confused. You are married right? So you...

2006-04-12T08:54:00.000+01:00

I am a bit confused. You are married right? So you think you may have HIV? Surely (or should I say hopefully) you have been faithful to your wife and vice versa?

Being a realist (and a Nigerian) I know this is not necessarily the case. But by talking about this on your blog, surely you are more or less admitting that you think that there has been some form of infidelity in your union.

If this is so then I was mistaken. I thought you had totally gone completely native, but you have not; you haven't yet gotten the strong Nigerian sense of shame.

I'm actually due a test this week. Not because I'm...

2006-04-11T23:04:00.000+01:00

I'm actually due a test this week. Not because I'm a promiscuous bugger (who am I kidding), but because it makes sense.

No offence, but with this kind of "NEWS" the scour...

2006-04-11T18:34:00.000+01:00

No offence, but with this kind of
"NEWS" the scourge is very confusing.

Hmm, I’m reading my comment again and it looks lik...

2006-04-11T18:29:00.000+01:00

Hmm, I’m reading my comment again and it looks like something from a person living in fool’s paradise on the assumption that I’m not really at risk. I take it all back as I know that all the “abstinence” (you can get it from the dentist!), ‘being faithful” (what if your partner isn’t?), and “condomising” (some condoms do break or leak) sermons are not enough guarantees. I’ll take the HIV test… for ME, ‘cos there are no guarantees. And it’s in my own interest to take it. Thanks for the reminder, Jeremy.

I don't think it's the vegan diet. I do know that ...

2006-04-11T18:10:00.000+01:00

I don't think it's the vegan diet. I do know that it is said that those of us in the malaria zones always have some amount of the plasmodium parasite in our bloodstream. So, when we go for the test, what matters is not so much as the presence of the parasite as how much there is. However, I can guess (I may be wrong) that you have not lived in Nigeria for so long as to be classified into this category and I hope you get over this malaria stint once and for all. As for the HIV test, I feel quite bad that I've not made out time to go for a test, even if I feel like I'm not at risk. I have watched my best friend's parents die of this disease and every time I visit her country and stay in her house, I come back saying I'll go for the test, if only to show some solidarity with her pain and those of her younger ones. I hope to make out the time to go for a test soon, though.

Hey tobs. No offence taken mate. I think a vegan...

2006-04-11T17:49:00.000+01:00

Hey tobs. No offence taken mate. I think a vegan diet may be a bit tricky here for a few reasons - in the West, you can eat acidopholous (active ingredient) soya yoghurt to keep the bacterial balance in the gut healthy. Also, sources of B12 and the omegas essential fatty acids are not readily available. Then there's missing the pleasures of soya ice cream (which is as tasty as cow ice cream these days). One day someone'll start to make soya ice cream in Nigeria and make a bomb. But we bring a lot of stuff over from the UK which keeps us going in all of the above. I think the real problem is when you get hit repeatedly with malaria it can knock you off your perch quite seriously..

Jeremy, there is no religion more noble than the d...

2006-04-11T17:23:00.000+01:00

Jeremy, there is no religion more noble than the daily realisation: "Today is another chance for me to be a better person."

Glad that you're alive, and that you have this awareness, and that you're bold enough to share it with others.

(And Tobs is right: a nice plate of amala with goat stew everynow and again wouldn't kill you...heh heh).

No offence Jeremy, but don't you think if you'd ea...

2006-04-11T17:13:00.000+01:00

No offence Jeremy, but don't you think if you'd eaten a more varied diet than only vegan food that your immune system would be better? That is my immediate thought (I support you however in taking the test on a regular basis, and will gladly admit also that the first time is a bit scary).