Monday, November 5, 2012

Email 96: My Partner Needs to be Tested


Hi Pozzie,

I was sick almost every month, last year 2011. I had dry cough for months, recurring mouth sores, sore throat, rashes etc. until I had my test done last March this year and it was reactive and I didn't come back for my confirmatory. I was scared that time and decided to live a healthy life instead, I know the fact that I only have 1% to 2% chance to get a negative result. 


I accepted the fact that I am positive and trying to live a healthy lifestyle but my biggest concern right now is my partner for almost 4 years. I don't know how to advice him to have himself checked. I haven't told anyone about my condition even to him which I know is very unfair on his part. We are not that sexually active but we had unprotected sex even before I learned that I have this disease. 

Please help me how to advise him to take HIV test. Whoever the carrier, if its me or him is least of my concerns right now. What I want to know is his status. Also I just wanted to know if its possible to have CD4 testing even without confirmatory? Sorry but I don't want to go back where I have my test done unlike to other pozzies pleasant experience when they have theirs. 

I am also worried about the cauliflower like lump in my anus which I read might be caused by unprotected sex (HPV). I want to know how much or if treatment for this can be covered by PhilHealth? Im 29 years old. Is it possible that I can still have a vaccine for HPV? I dont have any other complains in terms of my health except for this bumps in my anus. Hope you can help me what to do and assist me where to go to seek treatment regarding with my issue.

Thank you for being the bridge and the light for all the Pozzies out there like me. You're a massive help to everyone and would love to be like you.

Thanks,

Positive.life


POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi Positive.life.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding my blog.

I am glad that you took the test last March of this year. It was courageous of you to do so. However, you said that you didn't wait anymore for the confirmatory. Whatever your reason for doing so, I can't blame you, however by not getting the confirmatory you have put your health status in limbo. It is like taking one step forward and taking 10 steps backwards, if you know what I mean. For one, you really don't know if you are really HIV positive and number two, by not getting it, you won't be able to take steps in determining the level of your immune system. Trying to be healthy and having a healthy lifestyle is good for all of us, however, we need to address the fact that we have a virus within us and we won't be able to take real action if we don't confirm that it exists, if we don't take a CD4 test and viral load test and if we don't know the existence of any infection brewing inside us. 

From your email you said that you want your partner of 4 years to get tested too. That is a must, especially that you were reactive in your HIV rapid test and you had unprotected sex. However, how can you convince your partner if you yourself don't accept the HIV Test and don't accept the fact that there are steps to be taken. For you to convince your partner to take the initiative to take the test, you have to tell him the truth that you are indeed suspected HIV positive 8 months ago and by doing so, you and him can both take actions to being responsible to your health and relationship. You need to be a role model for him at this time and you have to be responsible not only for your health but to his health too.

Regarding taking the CD4 test, of course, like any other test, it can be taken even without the HIV confirmatory result. However it requires a doctor's prescription for it. I remember when I was hospitalised for pneumonia, I had the HIV test the following day and since we had to wait for 2 weeks for the confirmatory, my infectious disease doctor had my blood tested for CD4 with her recommendation that same day without the confirmatory result. However, in The Medical City, it costs P13,000 for the CD4 then. In the government HIV/AIDS Treatment Hubs in the Philippines, I am pretty sure that you need to submit a confirmatory result first before you will be prescribed a CD4 test as most treatment hubs give it for free. However, with a doctor's prescription, you can get the CD4 in any hospital offering it but you have to spend from P6,500 to P15,000 depending on the hospital that you are getting it from.

When it comes to your anal problem, you need to consult a specialist. I am not a doctor so I can't diagnose what it is. Best is to have a consultation with an infectious disease doctor and you can go to any treatment hub for that matter. You can go to RITM-ARG in Alabang if wish as there are very good doctors there. Treatment cost will really depend on what the diagnosis is so we can't speculate how much you need to spend for it. You can also ask your doctor if you can use your PhilHealth benefits to cover for the cost of your treatment.

I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Please feel free to email me again if you have other questions.


Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy


"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-


© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: