Friday the 13th phone call

It’s Friday the 13th.

I had a call from a private number a few hours ago.  Thinking it was a friend, or even a job offer, I picked it up.

"Hello, is this Matt?’ a meek lady’s voice asked.
I replied, "Yes it is."

"This is (whoeveritwas) from Queensland Health.  You’ve come up as a contact for Gonorrhea.
At first, I didn’t hear her correctly and she asked, "Do you know what Gonorrhea is?"

"No, no, no, I don’t THINK so!" was my immediate thought.
I told her that I had gotten my results last week and that gonorrhea was NOT anything I had.  I cut her off right away – I was not in the mood for more of this shit.

I wondered who that I’d been with has that.  I really dunno.  Thank fuck I didn’t get it from them – I’ve had that once before and I never want it again – so painful.

The lady asked me if i had any symptoms.  I said that no I didn’t.  Sure I was annoyed about getting the call, but I was thankful as well.  I’d heard that Queensland Health contacts people if they are able to, to tell contacts of people who have come back with something to come in and get tested.  That is a very sensible thing and I am thankful that we have a company who gives a shit about prevention.  Unlike the Newman Government who seems to be running the state’s LGBT’s into the ground.  I’m convinced that I’m having trouble finding work because he’s sacked so many people, who would be scrambling for work and probably have families to support.

So yeah, once I told her I’d been tested and had gotten my results, she seemed satisfied with that and let me go.  It’s the first time I’ve ever had Queensland Health call me.  Part of me thinks maybe it was just my friend who had HIV and instead of saying that to scare me, she might’ve said ‘gonorrhea’ instead.  But if that was the case, shouldn’t I have gotten that call two weeks ago?

It was cool already knowing my result.  I made a facebook status telling friends who are sexually active to get themselves tested, which was incredibly intimidating to write, but I hope it at least helps someone and makes them think twice.