Topping the list of the benefits of knowing your HIV status is an end to wondering and peace of mind. In the worst case scenario of a positive result there is good medical support available, and without a doubt, the earlier a person seeks medical advice, the better they are able to manage living with HIV. The emphasis here is LIVING with HIV. Treatment has progressed so that people are living long, healthy lives, but delaying testing and treatment definitely does not do your health any good. With a negative result, the obvious benefit is that you can ease any fears or concerns you may have had. 

The disadvantages of testing for HIV usually lies within people’s fear of what a positive result would mean to them. Some guys feel it is better not to know, or to wait until they are in a situation when they can better deal with the anxiety getting a test can sometimes produce. Others still decide to test only for STIs to start with and build up to having a test for HIV.

If you are weighing up the pros and cons of getting tested for HIV/STIs please feel free to get in touch to discuss your own personal reasons for or against getting tested. Having a conversation about it does not include the obligation to test, the choice is yours!