Friday, August 2, 2013

Email 498: "Worried That I Have HIV"


EMAIL 1:

 Hi all. Especially to u! 

a great opportunity awaits for this year... am about to bcome a manager in a food chain and i am also working my papers for aboard. 

I havent took the test yet.

Bcoz im scared....but judging from all the research i made regarding hiv i hav most of the signs and symptoms... 
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, back pain, plus the worst one the herpes!(on the trunk of my body)  Im experiencing it ryt now. I really dont know what to do ... if i will take the test i know the answer. It will just be a confirmation that i am positive. What makes me more anxious is the fact that the line of my work is in food industry if i will have the result and im positive i dont know if the government, i mean the city health would still allow me to work in my current job..if that happens what industry is more likely to settle?

  These are some of the questions i wished to be answered . along with that the expectation and of course my age im too young.... to be honest i slept wid several guys and i cant deny it the latest one was last july 21....the next one was 2months ago and the last that i can remember was Jan. Even my thoughts ryt now as i write this message is mixed up i dont know even know what to do. I wish to see people who are possie but i dont have the guts...what if they will spread it what future awaits for me? I want to be treated but im afraid that people would see entering a hiv hub huhu. 

 I actually sent u a message via viber... i wish u could help me. Give me #s of people who could help me here. 

 Anonymous
EMAIL 2
The symptoms that i am actually experiencing are all in the early stage... what if i i will undergo treatment could they still eliminate the virus in my body since its on the early detection part? Im also worried about my herpes...how long will i suffer from this thing and as side from pain reliever are there any available cure for it? Or medication... it looks dirty and scary... my mom knows about the skin rushes but she is not aware that it can only be acquired tru sex intercourse... by the way i just had my check up with our doctor  yesterday august 1 and i started experiencing the signs and symptoms last monday. The doctor was the one who informed me about the skin rushes is in the family of herpes. Huhu  it ignited me to search for any possible reason y do i have it and the only straight to the point answer i saw is hiv...now is in the 5th day and today is the 11th day since my last intercourse i had. The 3rd month for the other one and probably around 6th month for the other one aswell. Please pozzie i know u can help me with this one...



POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE


 EMAIL 1

 Hi Anonymous.

Thank you for your email.

I understand your situation. I can feel your fears. However, there is no more turning back and instead you need to face your situation now. The reason why is because you have pending goals that may get compromised if you won't take the test right now.

Let me address your concerns in a more specific way.

First, you said that you are about to become a manager of a food chain and you are concerned that having HIV is an obstacle as you are worried that the city health has issues with a person with HIV working in a food industry. If you will be working here in the Philippines, there is no obstacle for ANY kind of work for an HIV positive person, even in a food industry as HIV can't be transmitted through food or kitchen utensils. Also, nobody will know that you have HIV in your workplace here in the Philippines as there is a strong confidentiality law here. Even your employers can't force you to take the HIV test for employment purposes nor the City Health can request you to do so. It is a voluntary testing so there is nothing to be worried about.

Second, you said that you are processing your papers for abroad. However, there are some rules for each country when it comes to HIV. Some countries, require the applicant to have an HIV test prior to granting of the working visa, so you may need to check the medical tests required for your application first.

Third, which to me is one of the most important, is the fact that you mentioned that you already have symptoms that you think maybe HIV related. This too me is the thing that you need to focus on as you want to do all those things and yet, you have illnesses that have not been addressed. Get consultation with medical specialists and get those treated ASAP. You are young and you have great aspirations and dreams so you need to focus on your health.

Last, the HIV test. Like what I always tell my readers, HIV has non specific symptoms and the only way that HIV can be diagnosed is by taking the HIV test. Please don't be scared of it or don't think of what others might say when they see you in the clinic or in the hub. It doesn't matter for now. What is more important is that you have been exposed to the virus by having unprotected sex and you need to take action now in checking your HIV status. Trust me, it will answer all your problems. If you are positive, then so be it. At least you finally know clinically, not by mere specualtions. Always think that there is treatment and there are good doctors here. If you turn out to be negative, then good, celebrate and stay healthy from now on.

My point here is that the HIV test will answer most of your concerns. Period. Nothing else. It is better for you to do it right now, to know the cause of your problems than be bothered later on when things get worse. Please take the HIV test and don't think anymore. We all started with that fear, but all of us faced it and went on taking the test.

It is never too late. Just don't think anymore, and take the test, first thing in the morning tomorrow, then let me know the result.

You can go to RITM Satellite Clinic in Malate tomorrow and look for Nurse Nicka or Nurse Trisha or Hazel. Tell them that Pozziepinoy sent you there. Trsut me, the clinical staff are very professional, accommodating, friendly and non judgmental.

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

Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy

EMAIL 2

Hi Anonymous again.

Sorry but I didn't see that you had another (follow-up) email so I will answer your next questions in a separate email.

Having an early HIV intervention can't cure the virus as there is NO cure for HIV yet. The treatment will be just to "tame" the virus so that it won't wreck havoc to your immune system anymore, but not to eradicate it. If you have HIV, that is,, if you tested positive for it, then you'll have it for the rest of your life while there is no cure yet.

The herpes is a different concern. Seek consult from an infectious disease doctor who can monitor the treatment process. The treatment depends on the severity of what you have and only the doctor can tell.

HIV and herpes (genital herpes) are two different entities. They only have similar mode of transmission which is through sexual intercourse, that is why most doctors advice their patients to take the HIV test too when one has herpes (that is, genital herpes).

Like what I said in my previous response, start on working on your health tomorrow to ease your worries. Tomorrow, take the HIV test and don't think anymore.


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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