The argument is constantly floated that if a Positive result arises then immediate counselling is on hand to support that person blah, blah, blah, blah. But like many others, I am an intelligent mature human being, who understamds the risks, who has a reasonable knowledge of infection and the processes that result.

Should I, with my imported home test kits, end up with a Positive result, then I want to know first, before anyone else. I DO NOT want someone hovering around worried that I will go into some kind of epilyptic fit, or have a heart attack. If a Positive result is the outcome, I WANT time to think about it for a few hours, then I will maturely make an appointment with my G.P. for a second test, explaining to him/her why I want the second more thorough test, and so life moves on.

For a LONG time, getting tested was avoided by me, as it still is by many others, for the reasons I have outlined. It was only after I found a way to obtain self-testing kits from overseas about three years ago that I began testing on a semi-regular basis… usually 3-4 times per year.

Isn’t that a FAR better outcome for everyone, than not getting tested at all, simply because of the need to see your G.P. first, and the paranoia that generates? I do accept that there are some personaility types who perhaps might freak out upon receiving a Positive result, and therefore maybe they need the immediate on-hand counselling. But I, like many others, take a far more mature approach to such a possible outcome.

So for the pannicky freak-out types then maybe they need to still have their tests done via their G.P.

But what about those of us with a more relaxed and mature attitude? I would perhaps prefer an arrangement whereby my G.P. had the power/authority to assess my personality and attitude to the possibility of a Positive result, and then be “approved” to purchase (much like a repeat medication prescription, perhaps…?) home self kits.

However, the idea that a medically, emotionally and socially sensitive test like this should be made available outside a clinical settings is an unwise one I reckon.