Email 309: Can the CD4 Test Save His Life? ~ Living with HIV in the Philippines

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Email 309: Can the CD4 Test Save His Life?

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 12:05 PM

I've been reading your blog for quite some time now... however im quite confused with the part of cd4 count test... is there any site where there's a free cd4 count test or if there's none, where can i go the cheapest cd4 count test and how much would be the cost of it.

my friend who is hiv+ looks really terrible... he lost weight already and he kept on telling me that he is already dying and that the aids virus is already killing him,... he has a lot of different illnesses already and he kept on insisting that the hospital can help him... but he never mentioned to the doctors that he is an hiv+.

please i need your advice or help on what should i do to save him... do you think that by having a cd4 test can help him and save him?

thanks

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email.

Let me address all your concerns.

First, If your friend really wants to get better, he has to tell his doctors that he has HIV. Period. He can't skip all the other tests that the HIV doctor will require him to do. It is not an option now to hide his status, especially his doctor. His infections may be treated temporarily but will keep on recurring if he won't address his HIV problem. Also, aside from health deterioration, having a lot of illnesses and being confined in a hospital not only provide an emotional but also a financial baggage. Before it is too late, convince your friend to help himself. You guys won't be able to help him unless he himself wants to be helped. You may have to tell his doctor that he may be needing a counsellor or a hospital psychiatrist to talk to him about the importance of treatment.You can also tell his attending doctor about his ideas of death so all of you can help him to think clearer and give back his self worth.

Second, the FREE and or cheap CD4 tests are in the HIV/AIDS Treatment hubs. Also, he will be needing a prescription for it especially from the infectious disease doctor, thus the need to present his HIV test result. Also, the result of the CD4 test in the hubs come in faster than in any regular hospital or clinic, thus a faster treatment process for your friend.

Having the CD4 test is the first step. It will just determine his level of immune system. What will save him, is one, his willingness to get well; second, the belief that the ARV's will tame his virus and invigorate his immune system; third, by getting treatment for all his infections; and fourth, the belief in all the advices of his HIV doctor and fifth, the acceptance of the love around him by his family, friends and loved ones.

I hope you will keep on convincing your friend to do what I have told you. Start coordinating with his doctor fast so they can address all his problems and issues with himself.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy