Hi Pozziepinoy,
Thank you for creating this blog. I found this really helpful and it has enlightened me more about HIV cases.
I do have my biggest concern though. It has been almost a year since I had unprotected sex. Later last month, I had a very strange fever, flu and dry cough. I went to Makati Medical Center and their diagnosis is systemic viral illness and advised me to seek an infectious disease specialist. My fever has been recurring alrerady for the past 4 weeks and it even reaches to 39.8 degrees celcius. I also felt prolonged tiredness and fatigue lately. Last week, there were red patches and rashes all over my arms. I am still suffering with fever as of this writing.
I have researched online and I found out that some of the symptoms of HIV are somehow present as I endure this viral illness. I am afraid to get tested. Based on this, I would like to confirm from you if I am suffering with HIV?
Your prompt reply is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Hopeful.
POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE
Hi Hopeful.
Thank you for your email. Thank you for reading the blog. I am so glad that you found the blog and somehow got enlightened by the posts here.
I believe that you know what I am going to tell you. Get tested! This is the only way to know if you have HIV or not. HIV has non specific symptoms, no matter how many articles you have read on the internet. This means that there are a variety of symptoms each individual may have, and some people even have none. However, the HIV test is the only way to diagnose HIV and nothing else, so if you said that you had unprotected sex, you need need to get tested ASAP.
In the country, based on the last HIV and AIDS Registry from the national Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health (NEC-DOH), there are 585 new cases cases in July 2014. This has been the highest number of cases of HIV so far. Every month, it is increasing and even DOH has estimated that by the end of 2014, the cases may reach to 30,000 in the country. The increasing trend is quite alarming and this hsould be addressed and given focus and attention by the government and the civil society.
Hopeful, please do what I tell you to do as soon as possible. Please take the HIV test. If you have recurring symptoms, that means there really is something wrong with your body. Don't take it for granted. Immediate diagnosis is very important here for immediate treatment. Immediate diagnosis also means, less cost for treatment. I don't want to scare you but since you have read articles about HIV, and I know you know that delaying HIV diagnosis and treatment sometimes can be fatal. Think of yourself. Think of your family and loved ones.
Trust me when I say that the HIV test is the most important decision that you will ever have in your life. By taking the HIv test, uyou will be able to control your life, your health and your future.
I hope I was able to answer your concern. Please feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
Pozziepinoy