“Did you use a sterile needle to inject the heroin?”
“I can’t remember to be honest, my friend just made up the shot and helped me inject it,” Dike replied.
“So how long ago was this?”
“About 20 years ago.”
“Have you had a test for HIV or hepatitis since then?”
“No.”
“Well, it’s good you are here now. We can check and let you know your status.
A few more questions, if that’s okay? Have you ever had a sexually transmitted infection?”
He frowned as he thought about it.
“Thats gonorrhoea….isn’t it?” He asked.
“Gonorrhoea is just one of the sexually transmitted infections,” I replied,”but there are others like chlamydia…”
“Yes! I’ve had that!’ He exclaimed.
Did you know that people infected with a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia, pubic lice, genital warts or syphilis are 2-5 times more likely to acquire HIV infection if exposed to the virus?
Hmmm Dike is not impressing me at all….. on a serious note we need to equip our youth as little moments of pleasure and experiments can bite one in the bum in yeara to come.
So right, Kay. Youths especially need to be equipped to face the challenges of modern living. To be able to say ‘No’ to negative peer pressure is a skill every young person needs. What far reaching effects a moment of carelessness can have.