STD Testing Dallas, TX

A friend of a friend who is a nurse got accidently stuck the other day with a used needle at work.  The hospital he works for has a great policy about when to get tested, get retested and they even provide psychological support.  However, when should regular folk get tested?  Whether you shared a dirty needle or slept with someone nasty this should be your personal policy. 

HIV Virus Invading a Cell

First things first, get an HIV test asap.  Even if the event occurred yesterday, it is a good idea to make sure you can establish that you were HIV negative before the event.  This question will constantly be on your mind if you do show up HIV positive.  Doubt will creep in your mind, and you will wake up in a panic at the thought that you may have spread the HIV virus unknowingly to others.  If you show up HIV positive, it is your business only and I doubt you want to hunt down everyone you have ever been with to alert them that you are HIV positive and that they may be as well.  Additionally, the first thing that will happen when you tell someone they gave you HIV is that they will deny it.  For your wellbeing as well as others, get this test as soon as possible. 

If you live in the Dallas area, I suggest you get tested at Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX.  It only costs $39 with a coupon.  You can give them an alias, no appointment needed, and your results are ready in 2 business days.  You may be waiting 2 weeks or more if you go to your physician or a free clinic.  Regardless of where you get tested, expect to get a call when your results are ready.  This is required by law and does not mean you are HIV pos or HIV neg.

Your next test should be 30 days from the possible transmission.  HIV tests actually look for antibodies, not the virus itself.  It takes 2 to 8 weeks for these antibodies to be produced to a measurable amount.  This 30-day test is more of a possible early detection HIV test.  A negative HIV test does not put you in the clear.  It just gives you a little piece of mind.  Do not give into fears if you have weight-loss, weird bumps/pimples or night sweats.  It is too early to get symptoms.

Your best early detection HIV tests comes around 90 days.  This test is common in most hospital policies for accidental sticks.  If you get an HIV negative result then, it is pretty safe to say you are in the clear. 

It is also advisable to get a yearly HIV test even if you have not been in a high risk category.  If you have learned anything from your scare it should be that early detection and public awareness is essential in battling HIV. 

 If you are HIV positive, do not think your life is over.  Currently, there are medications that can keep the virus so low it can not even be detected.  There are millions upon millions of research dollars being put towards HIV research.  It won’t be long before someone finds a vaccine or cure.