On Oral Sex and HIV

Hi Pozzie,

Tulungan mo naman ako sa problema ako. Nalaman ko na ang isang friend ko ay nag positive sa HIV. Ito ang buong storya ko . Nuong May 31 2014 una kaming nag sex. Oral sex lang po ang ginawa namin. I blew him (BJ) , pero hindi sya nilabasan sa bibig ko.(Nilabasan lang sya thru masturbation). Sa pangalawang pagkakataon inoral ko uli sya (BJ ko uli) and again di sya nilabasan sa bibig ko. I masturbated him again. Dahil sa anxiety problem ko nung sinabi nya na nag positive sya sa HIV nag pa rapid test po ako noong  July 03, 2014. The result is Non Reactive (Thank GOD). Here are my questions.

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New TRR Banner!

Help us with the HIV awareness in your offices, companies, shops, schools, canteens, churches, group!

Print out the banner, or distribute as a flyer or just copy and past the link and post it in your facebook, twitter or any online platforms.

Please do your part and let us do the rest!

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Stay Protected!

You can help in lowering down the cases of HIV in the Philippines. Please print this out and give to your friends, classmates, office mates, colleagues, family, etc.

Hand out the flyer and we will do the rest.

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Get Tested and Get Treatment!

Lately, The Red Ribbon Care Management Program has been assisting clients who are either, one, late diagnosed or second, got diagnosed years ago but didn't get treatment at once. In both scenarios, the PLHIV's already have opportunistic infections associated with AIDS which are harder to treat and financially draining.

This is not to scare anybody, but please GET TESTED EARLY and GET TREATMENT EARLY when you get diagnosed. HIV can be "tamed" early with early intervention. HIV Treatment is FREE but by having these HIV related infections caused by the weakening of the immune system, the expenses may be overwhelming and maybe financially draining to both you and your loved ones.

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Act Now!

We have assisted a lot of newly diagnosed HIV positive lately with opportunistic infection presentations. The Red Ribbon Care Management Program still provides outstanding care however, it becomes harder as the clients are burdened with financial and risky health issues.

The reason for this blog post is to tell the readers the FACTS and to encourage all our readers to please ACT NOW before more health complications arise that will lead to more financial burden for both the patient and his family.

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Care Assistance Program Video for HIV Testing!

The Care Assistance Program of The Red Ribbon:

Video courtesy of Steve.

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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What does my CD4 count mean?

(Source: 100 Questions and Answers About HIV and AIDS, 2nd Ed., by Joel Gallant, M.D., MPH)

Your blood contains red blood cells (RBC's), white blood celles (WBC's) and platelets. Lymphocytes are a type of WBC, and the CD4 cell is a type of lymphocyte, the one most affected by HIV. The CD4 count measures the health of your immune system. It should be checked regularly (usually every 3 to 6 months) if you're not on therapy because it measures the amount of damage done by HIV and iit is the most important test for deciding whether you need to start ART or prophylaxis (prevention) for opportunistic infections. The CD4 count almost always increases with effective ART, but how much it will increase is hard to predict.

Once you're on ART, the viral load becomes more important than the CD4 count as a measure of your response. If you're viral load is undetectable - the goal of therapy - it's unlikely that you would make any changes based on the CD4 count. An ideal response to ART is to have an undetectable viral load and a CD$ that's above 500. When you reach that goal, its not necessary to measure the CD4 count more than once a year.

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PLHIV with Dengue

A PLHIV who I have the privilege of assisting more than a year ago, two nights ago texted me that he had more than 38 degrees of body temperature. He was on his way to the hospital and wanted to be admitted. He already told his HIV doctor about his possible confinement. That night he wasn't admitted as the hospital was completely full. He just continued his antipyretic medicines at home.

The following day, he texted me again and he went to another hospital. He was soon got admitted and they suspected that it was viral based on his CBC result. Later on he was diagnosed of having dengue. I told him to tell keep on updating his HIV doctor about his condition. He was still in good spirit as his attending doctor asked him if he wanted to take the HIV test too. Jokingly, I told him to show his ARV's to him. Well, sometimes it's nice to make people smile.

Early today, he told me that his fever has subsided but his platelet was still low so he still needed to stay in the hospital for a few more days. Luckily he decided to seek treatment fast as we all know that dengue can get worse if not given early treatment.

Like what I always tell people, be proactive about your health. We already have the virus living with us so we need to be extra careful with our surroundings. Because it has been raining in the Philippines, this is another dengue season so we all need to be cautious, inspect and clean our surroundings and watch for the signs and symptoms of dengue. 

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GHB, Ketamine and HIV

What is GHB?

Gammahydroxybutyrate, also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a naturally occurring substance found in the human central nervous system.  As a recreational drug it is also known as G, GBH, Grievous bodily harm, Fantasy, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Georgia Home Boy, Sleep-500, Liquid E,G, Scoop, Juice, Mils, cherry meth, soap, organic Quaalude and blue nitro liquid.  It acts, in small doses, as an aphrodisiac and gives users an alcohol-like high.  GHB slows down nervous system activity and messages between the brain and body.  It has at least two distinct binding sites in the central nervous system.  It is an agonist at the GHB receptor, which is excitatory, and it is a weak agonist at the GABA_B receptor, which is inhibitory.  Thus GHB affects the release of dopamine in the brain in a biphasic manner.   Low concentrations stimulate dopamine release via the GHB receptor.   Higher concentrations inhibit dopamine release via GABA(B) receptors.  After an initial phase of inhibition at the GABA(B) receptors, dopamine release is then increased via the GHB receptor as the concentration falls.  This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep.  It is also used by body-builders to help stimulate muscle growth by elevating the levels of human growth hormone.  GHB is also produced as a result of fermentation, and so is found in small quantities in some beers and wines wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and almost all animals in small amounts.   Note GHB is a prohibited substance in many jurisdictions.  However, GBL (gamma butyrolactone) is often taken as a substitute for GHB as it is not illegal, and is converted by the body into GHB and thus poses the same dangers.

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Is HIV a Disability?

To begin with, what is a disability?   

A Google web search defines it the following way:

Noun
1.    A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.
2.    A disadvantage or handicap, esp. one imposed or recognized by the law.

If we accept the definition above, then disability is an umbrella term.  It covers impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions: impairments are problems in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.  Thus a disability is thus not just a health problem.  It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.  An estimated 10% of the world’s population has a disability.  So, is HIV a disability?  There are people living with HIV who would say absolutely not. There are people living with HIV that would say yes, HIV is a disability.  The answer is it depends. 

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Email 326: Rectal Bleeding

Hi! 

Last october i had an unprotected sex with this guy and then i decide to be tested on december last year also and the result is nonreactive...the story is i had sex with him again last february 2013 but now it is safe sex the problem i notice some few blood on my rectum when i wipe it after having sex... my partner is hiv negative... Now i am worried or i need someone to explain this matter.... thanks in advance... more power...

XXX

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Email 322: HIV and Employment

Hi!

I just wanna know if the result shows that I’m positive for HIV kung makakahanap pa din ba ako ng trabaho and how about the medical that company requires? Ano yung best na dapat kong gawin kasi kung positive man ako ayoko makita ang sarili ko na parang inutil instead of that gusto ko I prove sa sarili ko na kahit meron akong ganitong sakit kaya ko pa din magwork and mabigyan ko ang family ko ng magandang buhay.

Thanks.

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HIV Anxiety Syndrome?

I have been assisting a handful of people who have had low risk encounters with the same sex or prostitutes and yet are exhibiting symptoms that usually linked with HIV. There is almost always signs of depressed immune system as they get sick all the time, some with even oral thrush and rashes but on the HIV testing, their results were all non reactive. Still, the anxiety lingers and these people still experience the HIV-like symptoms.

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Email 320: My Past and My Non Reactive Result

Greetings!

I'm 20 and a graduate of BSHRM, I was amazed by the stories that i read in your blog, I was moved and  kinda scared about the things i found out. 

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Can't Be A BYSTANDER Anymore!

This email was sent in response to the blog entry: 

Are You A Bystander?

I CANNOT be a bystander and in my own "little"way, tho I have a few friends/contact I have to "TELL" about this situation. 

I am an auntie whose nephew has just been diagnosed with hiv/aids. Tho he is now on ARVs, my heart is so pained and burdened, and I share with him his suffering in silence (no other family member or friends know. It's the stigma). 

We spread in our facebook accounts... "Let's pray for this person who has cancer or this pet who has experienced cruelty from humans". But even though I am old and "dumb" about this computer technology, I will do something... I have to! I cannot be a bystander anymore. 

So, THANK YOU, POZZIEPINOY. For your blog and for being simply there for all of us, even to the family and friends who are supporting those with hiv/aids. 

God bless you, and all of us!

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HIV Epidemic Looming in the Philippines

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Are You A Bystander?

All of you have been reading the blog entries here and because of this, everyday, the blog has been reaching up to three thousand viewers and still increasing. I should be thankful that the blog has become a powerful tool to reach out to a lot of people. However, I don't think this is enough.

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Puerto Galera and HIV

Hi Pozzie.

During Holy Week, Puerto Galera is one of the favorite destinations of gay men not to reflect but to engage in drugs and sex. I was informed that last Holy Week, an HIV test was conducted among 200 gay men. It turned out that 175 of them are positive. When I heard about it, I was so alarmed. This information should serve as a lesson for everyone to always practice safe sex.

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Our Voices: Young People and HIV

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

YouTube

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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New FORUM page

Hi guys. We have a new FORUM page in the upper tab of the blog. Here everyone can post a topic for discussion or anyone can post a question for all the readers and members to respond to. If you can't find it, you can just click this link:

OUR FORUM

I wish that the FORUM will serve as another venue for everyone to discuss anything about HIV! May it help with the awareness and prevention of HIV and AIDS, promote HIV testing and HIV treatment and serve as a channel for camaraderie for all PLHIV's.

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

Read More