Talking HIV: the fear of going to the clinic
For lots of people, the ‘fear of the unknown’ stops them from accessing sexual health testing and support. In this episode, Jim and Andy remember how they used to feel going into clinics and where they went for support.
Going into a clinic for the first time can be daunting. Lots of people are put off by worries about what it’s going to be like, who you’re going to see, or the thought that someone might see you walk in.
In this episode, Andy and Jim, from The Sussex Beacon (Brighton, England), remember how they felt when they were first going for sexual health check-ups and talk about how services have changed in recent years. As Andy explains, once you get used to it, going into clinics is ‘a walk in the park’.
What would you say to someone who was scared of getting their first sexual health test?
Did you have any worries that put you off at first?
To share your experiences, you can leave a comment below or comment on our Facebook page. If you have a longer story you’d like to share – or maybe you’d like to record your own Talking HIV – you can get in touch here.
Whether you are living with HIV, have been affected by it in some other way, or just have something to contribute, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
An audio version of this podcast is also available.
End stigma, start #talkingHIV
