VCT



 Voluntary Counselling and Testing
        VCT is when a person chooses to undergo HIV/AIDS counselling so that they can make an informed decision about whether to be tested for HIV. The government is encouraging all individuals to go forward to VCT to be tested for HIV. VCT operates on the philosophy and believes that if many individuals get tested, even though they may not be sick, this will help to lessen the amount of stigma associated with the HIV test. Also ,if it is found out at an earlier stage, that individuals are infected with HIV, they can learn more about the virus and how it affects their body.they can also look after their health so that we stay as healthy as possible for long.They can get information and counselling around how to live positively with the virus ,learning to accept the fact that we are infected ,seeking emotional support and eating a health diet.They can learn how to manage the stress in their lives and make sure they don't infect anyone else or get  re-infected themselves.They can find out about resources are available within their community to help us manage their HIV status,Also learn to recognize the signs of opportunistic infection so we can get them treated promptly. They can find out about prophylactic drugs.These drugs do not cure HIV/AIDS but can prevent us from getting some opportunistic infection that are common with people living with HIV/AIDS e.g T.B.Access nevirapne this is drug available in hospitals and clinic that lessen the chance of  a pregnant mother passing the virus into her baby.
Mercy Miriko Gikunda

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