Monday, January 14, 2013

Email 205: About the HIV Test


Hi Pozziepinoy

gus2 q po sna mgpa test kmi ng partner q kya lng ayaw nya pumayag, my rushes kc sya sa private part nya posible po kya my HIV sya? san po aq pwd pmnta pra mg pcheck tga d2 po aq sa cavite at pwd po ba kuhanan q nlng sya ng dugo pra khit di na sya sumama skn mg pcheck.. tnx po..


TRANSLATION

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I would like to take the test together with my partner, but he won’t go with me. He has rashes on his private parts. Is it possible that he has HIV? Where should we go to have a check up? We are from Cavite. Is it possible  if I can just draw blood from him so he doesn’t need to come with me to the test?

Thank you.

XXX


POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE


 Hi XXX.

 Thank you for your email.  I am glad that you are thinking of yourself and your partner's health. 

 Let me answer your questions in the order that you asked them.

 He has rashes in his private parts. Does this mean that he has HIV?

 HIV has no specific symptoms except that it weakens primarily the immune system. Secondary to this, the person easily gets infections. The infections that come out depend on how the body is resistant to it. 

 The rashes of your partner could be anything, but I am just wondering why he doesn't want to be tested for HIV. Maybe you should talk to him more about it. 
We are from Cavite, where can we get an HIV Test?

 You can get a test in any hospital in Cavite. However, since most have no testing facilities, they will send it to Manila for the tests. Of course, the hospital will charge you more because of this, plus it will take a long time before you can get the result.

 You can check out this link:

 HIV Testing Sites

 If you want, you can try to go to RITM Satellite Clinic in Malate. You can get a test and get the result after just 2 hours. You can look for Lean or Phil. The place is discreet, and the staff are all professional, non judgemental and very accommodating. Tell them that I referred you.

 Can I just draw blood from him and take it to the HIV Testing site?

 I asked Lean, the medical Technologist of RITM Satellite Clinic and he said that your partner has to go to the clinic personally to be tested. 

 Also, I checked the law about the HIV Testing process and it requires that there should be a personal pre and post test counselling.

 Please read this:
In RA 8504, Rule 4, Section 31. Pre-Test and Post-Test Counseling
All individuals, centers, clinics, blood banks or laboratories offering HIV testing shall provide, free of charge, pre-test and post-test counseling for persons who avail of their HIV testing services.

Pre-test counseling shall include the following:
  1. Purpose of HIV testing;
  2. Other diseases that should be tested, if applicable;
  3. Window period;
  4. HIV test procedure;
  5. Meaning of a negative and a positive test result;
  6. Guarantees of confidentiality and risk-free disclosure;
  7. When the result is available and who can receive the result;
  8. Basic information on HIV/AIDS infection: nature, modes of transmission, risk behaviors and risk reduction methods; and
  9. Informed consent and prohibition of compulsory testing under most circumstances.
Post-test counseling after a negative test result shall include the following:
  1. Release of the test result to the test person or legal guardian of minor;
  2. Review of the meaning of negative test result;
  3. Discussion of the test person’s immediate concerns;
  4. Review of the basic information on HIV/AIDS infection; and
  5. Provision of HIV/AIDS information literature and arrangement for a community referral, if necessary.
Post-test counseling after a positive test result shall include the following:
  1. Release of the test result to the test person or legal guardian of minor;
  2. Assistance and emotional support to the person in coping with the positive (+) test result;
  3. Discussion of the person’s immediate concerns;
  4. Review of the meaning of a positive test result;
  5. Review of HIV/AIDS infection transmission and risk reduction;
  6. Explanation of the importance of seeking health care and supervision;
  7. Arrangements for referral to health care and other community services and to any organization of people living with HIV/AIDS; and
  8. Assistance with the disclosure of HIV status and health condition to the spouse or sexual partner, as soon as possible
Pre-test and post-test counseling shall be done in a private place away from possible interruptions. It may be done at the bedside of an ill person, in a counseling room or in a person’s home, and preferably in a pleasant atmosphere.


  1. V/AIDS infection: nature, modes of transmission, risk behaviors and risk reduction methods; and
  2. Informed consent and prohibition of compulsory testing under most circumstances.
Post-test counseling after a negative test result shall include the following:
  1. Release of the test result to the test person or legal guardian of minor;
  2. Review of the meaning of negative test result;
  3. Discussion of the test person’s immediate concerns;
  4. Review of the basic information on HIV/AIDS infection; and
  5. Provision of HIV/AIDS information literature and arrangement for a community referral, if necessary.
Post-test counseling after a positive test result shall include the following:
  1. Release of the test result to the test person or legal guardian of minor;
  2. Assistance and emotional support to the person in coping with the positive (+) test result;
  3. Discussion of the person’s immediate concerns;
  4. Review of the meaning of a positive test result;
  5. Review of HIV/AIDS infection transmission and risk reduction;
  6. Explanation of the importance of seeking health care and supervision;
  7. Arrangements for referral to health care and other community services and to any organization of people living with HIV/AIDS; and
  8. Assistance with the disclosure of HIV status and health condition to the spouse or sexual partner, as soon as possible
Pre-test and post-test counseling shall be done in a private place away from possible interruptions. It may be done at the bedside of an ill person, in a counseling room or in a person’s home, and preferably in a pleasant atmosphere.

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


Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy





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NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-






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