Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 587: Sick and Waiting for Confirmatory Result

Gud am guys!

I have a question. I dont have yet my confirmatory test, pwede ba ako pmunta sa mga treatment hub for my cd4 counts and some test. Gusto ko kc sa PGH kc mas malapit sakin. Please advise guys tnx. Am sick right now.thank you

selfpitty

TRANSLATION

Gudam guys!

I have a question. I don't have yet my confirmatory test. Can I go to any treatment hub for my CD4 count and some other tests? I would like to go to PGH since its is near to me. Please advice guys. Thanks. I am sick right now. Thank you.

selfpitty

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi selfpitty.

The confirmatory test is required by all HIV/AIDS treatment hubs. Without it, you can't be enrolled in any hub.

Since you are already sick, you can go to the ER room of PGH and seek consult now, while still waiting for the confirmatory. HIV treatment and treatment of opportunistic infections are different. This means that later on, even with the confirmatory test, you will also be referred to a specialist to treat any specific opportunistic infection. Take my case for instance. Aside from my infectious disease doctor (my HIV doctor), I also has my pulmonologist who took care of my pneumonia and PCP before and who is taking care of me whenever I have coughs and cold. Some are referred to dermatologists who take care of their skin secondary to depressed immune system. Others are referred to neurologists for specific infections that already reached the nervous system. While HIV is being treated by the HIV doctor, a team of specialists will be called in as necessary.

My best advice for you is to get treatment fast with your infection. This is the best thing that you can do while waiting for the HIV confirmatory test.

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

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy