AIDS, and the virus that can cause AIDS (HIV), are,
in some ways, very hard to detect. Someone can look
fine—perfectly healthy—and be carrying the
AIDS virus. In fact, most people carrying the virus
don’t even know they have it. Even the so-called
“AIDS test” can’t tell you for sure
whether someone is carrying the virus. If someone
tells you that they “had the AIDS test, and came
up clean,” the test might not be right. It is
even possible that they mightt be lying. There’s
no way to know for sure who’s carrying the HIV
virus, and who’s not. That’s an important
point, since you don’t have to actually have
AIDS to pass it on to other people. You only have
to be carrying the virus.
Because it’s hard to tell, doctors recommend
that we assume that everyone we come in contact with
is carrying the virus. That means friends, people
you know, other residents here at Kinnic Falls. And
it certainly means everyone you have sex with, or
share needles with.
And it means you. We are not saying this to make
you scared; you are probably not carrying the virus.
But it makes sense to assume that you are. That’s
why this program assumes that everyone—all staff,
all the residents—is carrying the HIV virus.
We make that assumption in infection control (stopping
the spread of disease and germs). So, if you were
to accidentally cut yourself and bleed on a surface,
we would assume that your blood has HIV in it, and
we would put on rubber gloves before mopping it up
(as we would for any resident or staff person). And
we caution you not to share razors, toothbrushes,
or anything else that might have blood, semen or vaginal
fluids (the liquids that can pass on HIV) in it.
Again, we don’t want to scare you. It’s
just that this is the only way to really be safe.
We should also say that we believe that people with
AIDS, or those who are carrying the HIV virus, should
be treated in a loving and caring way. If someone
tells you they have AIDS or are carrying the HIV virus,
remember that what they told you is confidential;
if you start telling other people, without that person’s
permission, some really hurtful things could happen
to that person. So, keep it to yourself, unless you
have permission. And if you have AIDS or are carrying
the HIV virus, feel free to talk to your counselor
about your concerns and feelings. We will help however
we can, and will not tell other people without your
permission.
And if you have questions about AIDS, ask your counselor;
they would be glad to help. If you have any possibility
of exposure to the HIV virus, we recommend that you
be tested. Ask your counselor for information. The
test results are confidential and there is no charge
for the test.
admissions
policy
