The J’s world

HIV, Stigma, and the Cost of a Single Mistake – A Real Experience from the Field

Good evening Delly,

Thank you for raising this important and sensitive topic on HIV and stigmatization in our communities.

As a senior laboratory technician with years of experience working closely with people living with HIV, I feel deeply concerned about some of the practices I still observe among both junior and senior health personnel. These practices, whether intentional or not, contribute to stigma and can seriously affect the mental and emotional well-being of patients.

I would like to share a real experience from my field work.

Last year, during a national HIV survey, our team visited randomly selected households to assess the impact of HIV in our communities. In one home, I met an elderly man in his late sixties who declared that he was HIV positive and had been on treatment since 2018.

Despite this, I conducted a test—and the result came back negative.

To be certain, I:

- Collected samples for further testing (viral load and CD4 count)
- Referred him to another hospital for repeat testing (result: negative)
- Referred him back to the hospital where he was originally diagnosed (result: negative again)
- Sent samples for confirmatory ELISA testing (result: negative)

Later results showed:

- Viral load: Undetectable (consistently over the years)
- CD4 count: Very high

Attempts to trace his original 2018 diagnosis failed, as records were missing.

From all these findings, it became clear: this man was most likely given a false positive result years ago.

Now consider the consequences:

- His wife has refused intimacy since his diagnosis
- He was accused of infidelity, causing family conflict
- He has lived in depression for years
- He has been taking treatment he may never have needed

This is not just a laboratory error—it is a life-altering event.

What can we learn from this?

For the public:

- Do not rely on a single HIV test result
- Ensure your diagnosis is confirmed following the national testing algorithm
- Ask questions and seek clarification before accepting a life-changing diagnosis

For health professionals:

- Always follow the approved HIV testing algorithm
- Confirm all positive results with repeat or additional testing
- Ensure proper sample identification and documentation
- Avoid negligence—every result represents a human life

For counselors:

- Verify results carefully before communicating them
- Handle every case with sensitivity and responsibility

HIV is already a difficult diagnosis. We must not make it worse through avoidable errors and stigma within our own healthcare system.

Let us do better—for our patients, for our profession, and for our communities.

— Njem Nyuy
Your Favourite Lab Technician

Order anything food from us, we got you covered. Those with busy schedules, just send us your weekly menu and we are good to go.

READ! READ!! READ!!! READ!!!!Family
Please If you know of any lady battling BREAST
CANCER of whatever stage please advise her to
contact:
[email protected]
All medical expenses are free.
Please don't keep this message to yourself, SHARE
OR FORWARD to groups and save that woman's life
today.