Cheris takes an HIV test

In Charlotte, N.C., there are at least 450 people who are HIV positive and don't know it.
It's scary to take an HIV test, even if you've been careful and practice safe sex. The questions that the test administrator asks you will make you think. Did I use a condom the last time I had sex? Is my boyfriend cheating with one of those 450 people who don't know they have HIV?

Putting all of that aside, I took a rapid HIV test today. Here's how it went down:
I pretty much knew my status when I went to take this test. But, according to ABC News, the HIV rate among black women living in some U.S. cities is the same rate as that of some African countries.
"This disease is alive and well in this country," said Dr. Carlos Del Rio, principal investigator for the Atlanta area of the study and professor of medicine and infectious disease at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. "But this epidemic is the face of the forgotten people."
There are "hot spots" where the disease thrives in this country, Del Rio said, and most of those areas are some of the most impoverished parts of the United States.
 Find a testing location in your area by clicking here.

Comments

Karen said…
Thanks for being a role model. You should always know your status.
Deborah Mello said…
I have no words other than to say that I am exceptional proud of you. Proud to know you, proud to have watched your career grow, proud to see each of your accomplishments, just mother-lion proud.

Continue to be a blessing to young women who read your words, who know you and watch you and who will ultimately emulate you. You are an exceptional spirit and you just move me to tears for being the blessing that you are.

Keep up ALL your good works!

Deborah Fletcher Mello
Jennifer said…
Thanks for sharing your experience Cheris. Not a lot of people would be willing to do that.
Tori said…
Thank you for sharing your experience. It takes guts to do what you did. *keepingitreal*
Tori said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheris Hodges said…
Thanks guys! Deborah, you're going to make me cry.
I felt like it was important to do this because rate of black women contracting HIV is very high. There is a lot of fear when it comes to taking HIV tests, but we have to do it.
This is a great idea! I wish more people took this test important.
Rachel Burr said…
Nice to find your blog.your articles are very interesting.Thanks for sharing such a informative articles. rapid hiv test

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