Hi Pozziepinoy,
A family member was recently tested positive
for HIV in one of the satellite clinics. He went to one of the
public hospitals for further tests and last week he was given the medicines since
the results of the CD4 test showed he's already below the 350
threshold. I think his next appointment will be next week.
He's been sick since Saturday and according to other family
members, he is a bit weak. He said he had the fever even before he was able to
start his medication. My family is getting worried and he refuses to get
in touch with the counselor he met to get advice or even get the contact
no of the HIV doctor. I'm thinking maybe it's an allergic reaction to the
medicines?
Anyway, we want to bring to him to a regular hospital however he
is not yet ready to disclose his condition. Do you think he can consult a
doctor without a disclosure or is it best to bring him directly to the
public hospital? Do you have a contact number of an HIV doctor we can
consult with?
Thanks in advance for your response.
XXX
POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE
Hi XXX.
Thank you for your email.
Regarding your concerns about the family member who is a PLHIV, talk to him and ask him that he needs to go to the hospital if he really is feeling sickly and weak. The first move is to go to his HIV hub where he got his ARV's and talk to the HIV doctor there. All his documents are already there so it is unwise to transfer him to another hospital until you get to listen to the advice of his current doctor. Also, you have mentioned that he is not ready yet to disclose his status to another doctor and that may complicate things. Of course if he wants full treatment of his health, he has to disclose everything to his doctor. Omitting information to a doctor is not an option.
If later on, you all feel that you need a second opinion from another doctor and your relative is willing to disclose his status to this doctor, then email me again. For now, just stick to his hub and report everything that he is feeling.
I hope that I was able to answer all your concerns. Please feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy