WICHITA, Kansas – Wednesday was Women’s HIV Awareness Day. Statistics say a woman in the U.S. tests positive for HIV every 35 minutes and since there’s no cure, early detection means everything. And that’s why health experts say every woman needs to be tested.
“I am a long-term survivor, 25 years now,” said Carol, who is HIV positive.
Carol believes she contracted the virus by having unprotected sex.
“Back then they thought it was a death sentence,” she said. “Thank God, I’m still here.”
Carol’s been able to continue living an otherwise healthy life by taking medication and giving up smoking, drugs and alcohol. And because of what happened to her, she’s now an advocate for HIV prevention.
“Hopefully someone will learn something from my experience and they won't have to go through the same thing,” she said.
That’s why health experts say getting tested is so important.
The HIV test is pretty easy. It just takes a drop of blood. It’s then mixed in some solution and 15 minutes later, the results are in.
“Women need to think of themselves first,” said Dr. Ha Ta, an HIV specialist with the KU School of Medicine.
Dr. Ha Ta practices what she preaches.
“My husband goes back to Vietnam every year,” she said. “I test him every year. That's our give and take.”
While many think that’s strange, she knows she’s just protecting herself – something Carol wishes she had done years ago.
“HIV is a hard disease to get, but the choice is yours,” she said.
Health experts stress if you’ve never been tested, you should get tested. It’s free and can be administered at the Sedgwick County Health Department, Hunter Health Clinics and the KU School of Medicine in Wichita.
