STD Test - Stephen Fry's Story - HIV and Me
The BBC2 documentary HIV and Me by Stephen Fry raised some important questions about the importance of taking an STD test for HIV.
When the title ‘HIV and Me’ was announced people feared that Stephen Fry had HIV, just as he revealed in his previous documentary on manic depression that he suffered from depression. Thankfully, Fry does not have HIV, but the subject is close to his heart due of the number of friends he has who have died of AIDS or have had an STD test revealing they are HIV positive.
STD Test – Don’t Die of Ignorance
The programme marked the 25th anniversary of the AIDS charity The Terrence Higgins Trust and was an important piece of television – to raise awareness of the disease and why it’s vital people take an STD test to find out if they are positive or not. The show revealed how those who took an STD test for HIV too late into the disease, often ended up with full blown AIDS. But caught early with an STD test, HIV could be manageable if still debilitating. Many people who have taken an STD test and found out they are positive can survive a long relatively healthy life with medication if caught early. But the documentary revealed the terrible stigma that still surrounds HIV.
Stephen Fry Took STD Test
On the show, Fry himself took an STD test for HIV showing how quickly and easily it can be done, encouraging more people to step forward to take the STD test. In the early eighties, AIDS was a mysterious killer, but the dangers of the disease were banged home with the ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’ campaigns. Two decades later though more people are dying of ignorance and are not coming forward to take the HIV STD test. Research shows that infections are rising in three groups – the young, heterosexuals and black African communities. More straight people are infected then gay people although it’s still perceived by some as a ‘gay disease’. Gay communities are more likely to be sexually aware and take regular STD tests because of their high profile approach.
HIV STD Test Saves Lives
The documentary revealed people who wouldn’t stereotypically be associated with HIV in order to encourage more people to take the step and take a HIV STD test – a step that could ultimately save their lives. The show followed the stories of a schoolgirl born with the virus, a father who was infected during a blood transfusion and a HIV positive grandmother.
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