Dear Counsellor:

Please tell me, how accurate is the HIV test? I need to know because I tested positive and it is unbelievable. I hardly have sex. I may have had sex only three times in my entire life. As a matter of fact my last sexual encounter was almost eight years ago.

Confused

Dear Confused:

I'm very sorry to hear that you tested HIV positive. The HIV test is very accurate. The test has a 98 per cent ability to correctly identify individuals who are HIV infected and a 99 percent ability to identify persons who are not infected. Nevertheless, "false negative" as well as "false positive" test results can occur.

Because of the possibility of false positive results, a second test is performed if the first blood sample is positive. If the second test is also positive, then a more specific test is performed. If this too is positive, the patient is informed. To reassure yourself you could do another test in another health facility. I must also encourage you to seek counselling from a counsellor as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted infections

Dear Counsellor:

I had sex with a new boyfriend three days ago and now I am having pain from my vagina whenever I pass my urine. I'm also having a foul-smelling discharge. Can you tell me what is wrong?

Worried Lover

Dear Worried Lover:

From what you described, you may be infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You must visit a doctor, as soon as possible, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. In the meantime, you must not have sex. If you do have sex, you stand a chance of infecting your partner and you might also get other STIs. Follow your doctor's instructions and remember that if you use a condom every time you have sex this will greatly reduce your chance of becoming infected with STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

How accurate is the HIV test?

Dear Counsellor:

Please tell me, how accurate is the HIV test? I need to know because I tested positive and it is unbelievable. I hardly have sex. I might have had sex only three times in my entire life. As a matter of fact, my last sexual encounter was almost eight years ago.

Confused

Dear Confused:

I'm very sorry to hear that you tested HIV positive. The HIV test is very accurate. The test has a 98 per cent ability to correctly identify individuals who are HIV infected and a 99 per cent ability to identify persons who are not infected. Nevertheless, 'false negatives' as well as 'false positives' can occur.

Because of the possibility of false positive results, a second test is performed if the first blood sample is positive. If the second test is also positive, then a more specific test is performed. If this too is positive, the patient is informed. To reassure yourself, you could do another test at another health facility. I must also encourage you to seek counselling from a counsellor as soon as possible.

Painful Vagina sore

Dear Counsellor:

I noticed a blister-like sore on the inside of my vagina. This sore lasted for about five days and it was very painful. It was not the first time I was experiencing such symptoms. It is about the fourth time and it usually comes about two weeks before my period. What could it be? Do you think it is something to worry about?

Jean

Dear Jean:

It is difficult for me to tell you exactly what is happening by just a description of the symptoms you are experiencing. I could only speculate and when it comes to your health you should not speculate. However, it seems you might have an infection. Therefore, I'm recommending that you see a health-care provider while the symptoms are present because it makes it easier for diagnosis.

In the meantime, I'm strongly suggesting that you do not have sex while these sores are present. Remember also that if you use a condom every time you have sex this will greatly reduce your risk of getting infected with sexually transmitted infections including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Please follow the instructions of your health-care provider carefully.

Dear Counsellor:

Last week I noticed a hard painless sore on my bottom lip. It looks so ugly that I decided to go to the doctor. To my surprise the doctor told me it is caused by syphilis. I find it difficult to believe this doctor. How could syphilis be on a person's mouth? I always use condoms whenever I do have penetrative sex. I mainly concentrate on oral sex these days because I want to be safe. Tell, me do you think the doctor is right?

W.L.

Dear W.L.

Yes, your doctor could be very right. Syphilis is a bacterial infection of the sexual organs. You get syphilis by having sex (oral, vaginal and anal) with someone who is infected. It is quite possible that in performing oral sex you contracted syphilis. Contrary to your believe unprotected oral sex puts you at risk for all the sexually transmitted infections including HIV the virus that causes AIDS. Therefore you must start practising safer oral sex by using latex dam (a square piece of latex material) or cut a condom lengthwise to place over the area of the vagina you will approach during oral sex.

Dear Counsellor:

I'm a bisexual man and I recently found out that my female partner and I are HIV infected. Surprisingly, my male partner tested HIV negative. He is not infected. I know I'm the one who infected my girlfriend. None of my sexual partner knows about each other. They both believe that I'm faithful to them. How could my female partner become infected and my male partner is not?

J.T.

Dear J.T.

One of the main factors that increase a woman's chance of contracting HIV is her biological susceptibility to the virus. Unfortunately, the female anatomy is such that exposure to the virus is higher. The lining of the vagina is made up of living tissue that is moist and prone to trauma and breakage. The vagina itself has a larger exposed surface area compared to the penis. Making the virus easier to transmit to the female than the male.

There are some females who also engage in anal sex with their male partner and this puts them at additional risk. It is important for you to know however, that every sexual active person, no matter what their sexual preferences is, is still at risk for sexually transmitted infections including HIV. You should know also that if you continue to have unprotected sex with your male partner he could become infected.

On the other hand unprotected sex with your female partner will cause you to re-infect each other. Re-infecting each other will put more pressure on your immune system causing you to get sick faster. You must seek counselling from a knowledgeable HIV counsellor as soon as possible and it is important that you follow your doctor's instruction.For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at

1888-991-4444, or write to the AIDS Affair c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at

1888-991-4444, or write to the AIDS Affair c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.