Before my first class, I got an AIDS test.

You should get one, too.

I am not promiscuous and I definitely am no drug addict. On the contrary, I’ve been in a monogamous relationship for almost a year, and I could easily pass any drug test.

I decided to get tested when I realized that, even though neither my partner nor I had ever been the type to sleep around, neither of us had ever been tested. Mostly, I wanted to go through the experience to see what it was like: to see how people treated me when I told them and to explore the testing process first hand.
So why should you get tested? Because one in five persons infected with HIV is unaware of his status. Because anyone who is sexually active is at risk. Because our generation is allowing AIDS to be come so taboo people are afraid to admit they may need to get a test.

Don’t think you aren’t at risk.

The University of Georgia is in the heart of the region with the fastest growing AIDS population in the nation. Four out of 10 Americans with AIDS live in the South.

Of the 15 states with the highest rate of HIV infections, nine are in the South. Georgia is number eight.

From 2000 to 2003, AIDS cases in the six Deep South states increased over 35 percent, compared to just over five percent in all the others states combined.

Of course, practicing safe sex and avoiding shared needles lowers your risk, and if you’re practicing abstinence, you’re set, but how many of us can honestly say we are 100 percent certain we are HIV free?

I’m not here to discuss safe-sex practices, and I don’t intend to start a debate about monogamy. All I’m saying is, if there is any chance you may be HIV-positive, get tested.

I know what you’re thinking: that’s embarrassing, all of my friends will judge me, it will be expensive and it will always be on my medical records. I’ve been there. You’re wrong.

I’ll admit, it is definitely taboo. Go sit in the middle of Jittery Joe’s in the middle of the day and talk to your friend about getting tested. See how many people move away. My record is five.

But it is only as embarrassing as you allow it to be. And at least half the university won’t know you got one. I’ve been warned more than once that this article will follow me (even haunt me) in my future. I understand the fear.

In fact, no one has to know. AIDS testing, whether at the University Health Center or AIDS Athens, a local testing facility off Prince Avenue, is anonymous. All you have to do is give a first name. Any first name. So your friends and relatives don’t have to know unless you want them to, and the test doesn’t have to go on your record.

In my experience, if you do get the nerve to bridge the topic with your friends, you will be surprised by the reaction.

When I first discussed the numbers listed above with my friends, none of them changed the subject. After awhile, I had a list of maybe 10 friends who all wanted to have the piece of mind the test would impart.

As for expense, the Health Center charges only $35 for a test. At AIDS Athens, it’s free. Both centers offer oral swab tests, which take only 20 minutes for results and require no blood work or needles.

The Health Center also offers tests on many other STIs, which statistically can raise your chance of contracting HIV. You can call AIDS Athens at 706-542-2437 or the Health Center at 706-542-8690 to schedule a test.

AIDS testing is only taboo because we decide it is, so open a dialogue, discuss it with your friends, and get tested.

I had my AIDS test done at AIDS Athens early Monday morning, and got my results before I had to run off to class. Since I’m sure you’re wondering, I’m negative – just like I expected.

- Stephanie Jackson is a senior from Birmingham, Ala., majoring in newspapers and English