My cousin thinks he has AIDS but is afraid of going for a test, how can i convince him to do so?

He said he's been seing these simptoms for about 3 years now, he neither wants to tell his parent nor go for a test, I know that it's his will but this is my cousin, I dont want to lose him now.

It's as simple as this - if he goes to see a doctor now and has a blood test done to test for HIV, he will know one way or the other for sure.

If it is negative, he can live his life without worrying about the possibility he has HIV and put this experience behind him. If it is positive, he can get some help and advice to deal with it. Yes, HIV is incurable but there are treatments and medications that can help. A good GP will put him in touch with support networks and counsellors, and there are lots of them.

Either way - it is always better to know the truth, because there are alternatives available regardless of what happens after the test is done. If he does nothing, your cousin is committing himself to a life of worry and fear of the unknown.

Ultimately the choice is his, and you can't take the decision for him - if he chooses to do nothing, you must accept that and do your best to support him regardless.

The sooner he goes for a test the more effective the treatment for HIV will be. (assuming it is HIV)
However, it is a decision only he can make, you can only be there to support him since he seems to trust you. Try and get him some leaflets and info on local GUM clinics to make it easy for him to go.

If he is positive, there is treatment that could prolong his life, without treatment he would continue to get sicker, but then what if what he is dealing with is not HIV, and is something that is easily treated or cured, and he only gets sicker because he is too scared to get tested to find out. Try to reason with him that most symptoms that he could develop with HIV can also be the sign of other illnesses.

Well how does he know if he never got tested?? Many Many people think they have aids because they notice a lot of the symptoms that HIV has, and they're not always infected... maybe offer to go with him for support

Well convince him by telling him its important to find out, because if he is he can start taking medication and if he isnt then he is fine. Good luck mate.

Tell him to get tested, either way pos or neg it is the best thing for him. For 2 years when i was younger i was very promiscuous and most of the time not very safe. I convinced myself that i had contracted HIV and every time i got sick it just confirmed my suspicions. Long story short, i was paranoid for like 2 1/2 years and every day i was terrified of having it but even more afraid of a test. I got pregnant and they offer testing in the beginning so that if u are u can prevent ur baby from getting it. I decided that if i did have it, i would do everything i can to prevent my baby from getting it. It was the longest week of my life and i even contemplated suicide. When i went in for the results and my doc was very nonchalant in telling me that my test was negative. It was the best day of my life! If your cuz had the disease or not he needs to know. He may be paranoid or he may be right, if he is he can start medication and protect others if he's not he can breathe a BIG sigh of relief!

tell him he is being incredibly selfish, he could be putting a lot of people at risk.

If he has it , and has no treatment, you should be arranging his funeral.
Well, it's true ain't it ? Touchy feely freaks.

HIV produces no symptoms. It is only when AIDS results from HIV. You don't say what the symptoms are, but many AIDS symptoms can be something else. If he had full blown AIDS, I don't think he'd be able to hide it from his parents. He should jsut go get a general STD check and they will ask him if he would like to be tested for HIV. They can tell him the benefits. It isn't up to you, but if he is having serious symptoms, he SHOULD get checked for all possible things so he isn't spreading whatever he has. It simply isn't fair to the other people in his life. Perhaps, you could use that angle. He's being selfish in NOT getting tested.

Have sex with him.....and do a test on urself!!!!!