Email 392: Exposure and "PLHIV Prescription"
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 7:13 PM
Greetings,
Hope
all is well.
I
am gay, discreet, and a professional in the field of education.
I
am an avid reader of your blog and I've been monitoring my encounters
ever since I practiced getting tested every six months at RITM Malate.
I
have been an advocate of safer sex since I embraced this lifestyle.
Unfortunately, I had a high risk encounter last June 24, 2013.
My
role is versatile in sexual role playing. For some foolish, irrational
reason, I had sex with a masseur.
I
thought he was on rubber since I saw him put in on. He penetrated
me but after he came, i noticed the condom to be on the bed,
almost clean without any lube stain nor seminal fluid. I rushed to
the shower and checked. There was semen gushing
from my anus. I reprimanded him and told him what he did was
irresponsible and out us both at risk. It was also my mistake for
not checking. I asked if he had been tested for hiv but seemed
oblivious of the whole discourse about hiv and aids and safe sex which
frustrated me.I advised him not to do that next time he had a client.
I
was so frustrated and with my presence of mind, called a positive friend.
I researched about pep and asked him for 3 days of dosage of
nevaripine, lamivudine and tinofovir as precautionary measure.
I took it 6 hours after the intercourse. Another good friend will provide
me another good four days of dosage which will make it a good 7
days. According to the net, I must take it for 28 days.
I
have a few queries:
1.
Does RITM Satellite office in Malate provide consultancy for this kinds
of situations.
2.
Does RITM Satellite office in Malate provide pep treatment? If not, where
shall I request for it?
3. Will
this untoward incident be validated if If i request that I be
subjected to PEP treatment even if I am not a healthcare worker?
4.
Are these drugs available in mercury? (I doubt)
5.
What procedures shall I do to be able to avail of the prophylaxis
treatment?
I
have a core family to sustain, mom and aunt and I cannot get sick.
I know what happened was irresponsible.
I
would greatly appreciate your advise.
Sincerely,
XXX
POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE
Hi XXX.
Thank you for your email.
I am sorry for what you experienced with your masseur. I won't reprimand for not being vigilant especially the cases of HIV are still on the rise in the country. I know this can happen to anybody and having a masseur who we all know have extra service to most of his clients can be a deadly carrier of the incurable virus. However, thank you for sharing your story and let this be a lesson to everyone.
I am sorry but I just hate people who pretend to be HIV doctors. I know your friends tried to help you out in giving some ARV's which they think might really help you. ARV's are highly toxic medicines and can cause serious side effects in one's organ systems. That is the reason why HIV doctors get blood workout, liver functions tests, etc., done from PLHIV's before prescribing ARV's. I know you are scared but for me the actions of both your friends and yourself are being irresponsible. Please consult a doctor first before taking any medicines. Without proper professional guidance, you will never know what the effects of these meds on you in the first place. It is possible that they may complicate your current situation.
Now let us go in detail with the questions that you listed down. I will answer them in the order that you asked them.
First, RITM Satellite Clinic is an HIV testing site. The counselors can give you direction, but since you just had a recent possible exposure, even the HIV test may produce unconfirmed results.
Second, RITM Satellite Clinic or any HIV Treatment hubs don't prescribe and dispense any PEP unless you are a:
a. Health professional who had accidentally been exposed to blood through pin prick needles, etc, in the clinic or hospital. If you are, report immediately to your superior about it and PEP will be given within 72 hours post exposure.
b. You are a rape victim. A police report is needed by the HIV Treatment hubs before prescribing PEP.
Third, sexual encounters are not basis for prescription of PEP.
Fourth, HIV PEP is not available in local pharmacies.
Fifth, based on the story that you wrote, no HIV/AIDS Treatment hub will prescribe you with PEP. The reason for this is that the PEP is given to only those that I mentioned above, and is being monitored by DOH and a full report is needed in order for any prescription to be made by any HIV doctors.
My best advice from you is:
1. Go and seek consultation with an HIV doctor or an infectious disease doctor, ASAP!
2. Don't take any ARV's given by your peers without any HIV doctor's knowledge. A mistake can't be corrected by another mistake, for that matter.
I hope I was able to answer your
concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE
ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is
alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines