Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - November 15, 2009
Dear Doctor,
My husband and I recently went for a routine HIV test. We both tested HIV-positive. Since then my husband has been accusing me of infecting him yet five years ago, I was tested when I was pregnant and was found to be HIV-negative. I have never cheated on him since then. Is it possible to do a test to establish who of us was infected first so that we settle this dispute?
Sophia.
Dear Sophia,
IT is difficult and unnecessary for us to establish who of you was infected first now that both of you have tested HIV-positive.
Instead of wasting time trying to find out who infected the other, you should spend the time seeking couple counselling so that you come up with strategies of how to live with HIV in the family including starting on take ARVs if you are found eligible to start by your doctor.
It is also important for you to know that there are ways of HIV transmission such as unsafe injections instead of thinking that all people who are HIV-positive got it through sex.
In any case one can have extra marital sexual relationships without getting infected if one practices safe sex.
Unless we look at HIV as a virus which infects people when they come in contact with it through unsafe procedures or practices and we consider it as a moral issue, we shall continue losing many people to this disease at a time when we are able to treat those infected and prevent new infections.
091115
NV091120
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