Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 463: Positive and Confused

hi pozzie

tanong ko lang, infected ako ng virus pero natatakot ako na baka infected na din ung partner ko.. kung infected na kaming parehas may kakayahan pa ba kaming makapag trabaho? may tatangap pa ba saming company sa sitwasyon ng health namin lalong lalo na sa mga engineering company? tanong ko lang din kung paano namin sasabihin sa mga mahal namin sa buhay ung health status namin kasi hindi para sakin madaling matangap, lalong lalo na ngayon na mejo na dedepress ako ng sobra sa mga nangyayari for out future and para na din sa family ko na baka mahawa ko.., makakaya ko pa bang mabuhay ng normal ngayon?

anung magandang gawin ngayon at simulain na dapat kung gawin.. kakakuha ko lang ng test kahapon January 17, 2014 at kukunin pa daw ung confirmatory result. kahit na da talagang accurate ung result di na ako umaasang mag kakaron sa false result dun sa test na kinuha ako.. sabi nya kasi baka daw nakaapekto ung mga iniinum kung vitamins dun sa result na nag paactive sa mga anti bodies ko. pero ganun pa man bagsak na bagsak na katawan ko, pag karating ko ng bahay tulog agad ako at di na nakakain. gusto ko ng sabihin sa partner ko ngayon ang kundisyon ko at naaawa ako sa
kanya ng sobra na sana po di ko sya nahawa. di ako naawa sa sarili ko kung hindi sa family ko at partner ko.

salamat pozzie sana makayanan kong maging matatag ngayon. gusto ko pang mabuhay ng normal.. gusto ko pang matulungan yung buong pamilya ko.. gusto ko pang makatulong di lang sa sarili ko pati na din sa ibang tao... anu po bang dapat kung simulan ngayo?

liz

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi Liz.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for sharing your concerns with me and my readers.

Let me answer all of your questions in the order that you asked them.

1. You said that have HIV and you are worried about your partner. Simple, tell our partner to take the HIv test too. Also, if you are infected, please protect your partner by using condom during sex.

2. If both of you are infected, you both can still work. HIV is not a disability. It can be treated. Just don't neglect your health and follow the order of your HIV doctor and you will be fine!

3. In the Philippines, HIV is not a hindrance to employment. HIV test is not part of pre employment requirements as it is against the law nor hiring of HIV individuals. You guys have a lot of opportunities here even if you are a PLHIV.

4. Focus on accepting it before telling anyone or your family. Read articles, talk to people with HIV, empower yourself with the knowledge about the virus. You can join our very own support group, The Red Ribbon, an online private support group for PLHIV. Cick the link below on how to join it:

The Red Ribbon

Acceptance is really hard but you need to take it a day at a time. If you want, you can also talk to our Certified Counselors. Click the link below:

Want to Talk?

Please talk to our counsellors so you will know what to do.

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

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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