(Update) Sock Dump

Belinda:  It was good we spoke on Tuesday, Dave. I invited one of our friends who is a doctor to come to our house to perform a rapid HIV test on us. Our samples were collected and he mixed it with a special solution. We got our results in less than 40 minutes. My husband tested positive. I am negative so far. Initially, he was lying about not knowing his status but our friend had pushed further for the truth and he caved. A young student he’s been supporting and sleeping with exposed him to it. She contracted it from her boyfriend on Legon campus.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): How did the student find out about her status?

Belinda: According to my husband, she was hospitalized for almost two weeks in January of 2025. He initially thought she was pregnant but she was sick with PCP pneumonia, which was how they found out and got him to also test. He was negative. He showed us the result from 2025. The doctor made me understand it’s a possibility that the virus developed later without him realizing it.

DBM: What’s next? Are you planning on arranging for a confirmatory test to be done to rule out the chances of you contracting the virus?

Belinda: Yes. In 4 months.

DBM: B, I’m terribly sorry

Belinda: The diagnosis is a surprise to me, especially knowing I have never stepped outside of our relationship and marriage. This is all on him. What he has done has affected any prospect of a future together. I will keep you updated in few months.

DBM: Good luck!

Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto