Email 512: Working Abroad and Treatment

Hi Pozzie,

I just wanna ask some questions that keeps on playing in my mind regarding those countries that has no restrictions for PLHIV planning to work there. First of all, when a PLHIV started their ARV treatments here in the Philippines & opportunity comes along for them to work abroad, is it still possible to continue their medications here while working abroad? And if possible,  what are the requirements that might be needed in order for them to continue getting treatments & other laboratory tests from RITM Hub? Another thing is it will be very hard for them to go back in the country every three months to get a refill or is it okay to get an authorized person such as family members or  friends to get a refill for them & send it abroad?, and for CD4 test & VL test, of course it is the PLHIV responsibilities to go back to the country and undergo with those tests. What are some recommendations and solutions that can be considered with this matter?

Thanks Pozzie & more power to your blog.

Read More

Email 496: On Employment Abroad

Hi,

First of all, i would like to tell you that your blog has been a very big help for me. I was able to read some information about HIV and was educated about it.

I used to work abroad when I was tested positive for HIV. I went back immediately here in the Phil. and now I am taking my ARV. 

I am now locally employed but would still want to go abroad given the chance. I guess my question is... what countries accept HIV+ OFWs? Is there a country where I could apply that does not require HIV testing?

Thanks in advance. 

Read More

Email 455: OFW Needs Help

Hi Pozzie,

I found your blogspot really helpful to me. Thank you so much for creating one. You can call me Dee, I am currently working abroad at kanina lng tinest ako ng friend kong nurse at sabi eh reactive ang results. Last month ko pa kc nararamdaman ang mga symptoms like difficulty breathing, weakness, may rash ako sa mukha na kapag tinigil ko ung Alfacort cream na nireseta ng doctor bumabalik sya. Poz natatakot ako kc sa bansa na pinagtatrabahuan ko deport agad pg nalaman sa test na positive. Wala pa dn akong masyadong ipon kaya namomroblema ako sa treatment. Ask ko lng, covered ba ng philhealth ang pagpapagamot? I am planning to resign from work by the end of this month para by March mkakauwi na ko, masyado na bang matagal un for me to do the treatments. Gusto ko kc muna kahit papano may maiuwi mn lng na pera. I am from Bacolod at nakita ko na may treatment hub sila dun. I really need your advice.. Thank you in advance.

Read More

Email 393: Guarantee Letter for Canada

Hi pozzie,  i really need ur help.

 I am an applicant as a live in  caregiver in canada i applied 2011 and i passed the interviews and then i uderwent medical tests thats the only time that i found out that i am an hiv positive. I continued treatment and laboratory tests at PGH  sagip, im on Arv medication since sept. 19, 2012 my viral load before was 1400 copies per ml but now it is undetectable. 

the canadian embassy was already informed regarding everything about my condition ant they've sent me an urgent letter that i need a certification or a letter saying that my ARV  drugs will be continously be given to me even if im already in canada, if ever i will be hired, so the Arv drugs will come from here in the Philippines.  Is there an organization or people who can help me regarding on my concern?i have until dec. 5, 2013 to submit that letter or certification to the canadian embassy.i am really hoping that you can help me or if you can suggest what will i do because i really need this job. I will humbly wait for your response.thank you so much in advance. More piwer to you and God bless.

Read More

Email 660: Coming Home

Dear Pozzie,

Good day. 

Hi, you can call me Pette. I'm a nurse here in a foreign land and I was not able to renew a contract because I tested positive of HIV in the medical due to uncontrolled risk in my work field. I'm about to go home this month or next month. I hope you can help me with the details for check up and medication. What hospital and who i need to see. I'm also hoping to meet you personally if you have free time on the coming days. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Pette

Read More

Email 594: Cruise Ship PLHIV Worker

hello pozziepinoy, I just want to ask if you have any idea if pozzies are allowed to work for a cruise line/cruise ship?

thanks :)

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi there.

Thank you for your email. 

I know that it would be harder for someone to work abroad because usually there is an HIV test required by the company. Although, I don't close my options to this topic, maybe one of my readers, who is also a cruise ship worker can enlighten our email sender about this.

Thank you very much.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

Read More

Email 581: OFW Worries About Life

I'm ofw in HK..just come back here in Hong Kong 2 days ago,I've been tested HIV positive and I loose my job... I'm planning to go back home but worried about my future as well as my two kids. I'm single mom and be jobless if I go back home,and another problem is I don't know where to live...as my kids are only taken cared of a friend that only renting a room.. I needed help so badly

Read More

Email 541: Negative?

I went for mandatory medical test last August 5, 2013 while applying for my residence visa here in UAE. The result came out last August 19, and the papers were delivered to the address I gave them.

I called the Testing Clinic and asked if I passed the test or not. UAE medical test screens conditions for TB, Hepa B and HIV.

Read More

Email 503: OFW, Oral HIV Test and Disclosure

Hi Pozzie,

I would like to get advise from you regarding on what I am facing now. I have possible risk last June 22, 2013. I got sick after 2 weeks. I felt that I have fever but my temperature is not showing that I have fever. I have sore throat too. July 9, 2013 I went for HIV test and it turns out to be negative but the doctor said that this test is to clear you for your pass encounter but not the latest encounter and ask me to go back on September 22, 2013 for retest. I so worried that I cannot even concentrate on work and don't have enough sleep. I have sore throat for 5 days and counting so I decided to go for HIV test to confirm. The doctor said that he ask me to go back after 2 weeks because the Oral Test shows very faint line that you need to use magnifying glass. He said that if your positive it will show a solid line but mine is not. He said that I need another test after 2 weeks but he put on the data non-reactive with notes need to do test after 2 weeks. I don't know what to do.

1. How can I tell to my boss that I am planning to resign (I am working abroad and HIV here is not accepted)? What is the best reasoning without disclosing my status if I am a positive.

2. How accurate is the Oral Test?

3. I am a Christian and I don't know how to disclose my status with my parent and brothers?

Please help me. I am so scared.

Thank you.
C

Read More

Email 447: Dark Angel's Concerns

Hi Pozzie,itago mo na lang sa pangalan dark angel, working here in abroad. I have loving and very supportive family and boyfriend nasa nasa abroad din and parang lahat ng yun mawawala sakin ng isang iglap lang dahil sa katangan ko.

Pozzie, im so depress and scared di ko ang gagawin ko.im just new at my work right now,kc kakaresign ko lang previous company ko.  and bago ako mabigyan ng residence visa I need to take medical and now I have sore throat, thrush and sweat at night sobrang ntatakot ako at wala ako mapagsabihan at di ko na alam gagawin ko..gusto ko ng umuwi ng pinas pero how can will I tell to my family na kasama ko din dito.umiiyak na lang ako  
sa daan at nagdadasal k lord.

I really don't know what to do,i don't wanna die ...but when I found out your blog parang gumaan pakiramdam ko.please help me.

thank you!

Read More

Some Helpful FACTS About HIV in the Philippines

I have been receiving a lot of emails and I would like to reiterate these very important facts about HIV.

A. There are 415 new cases reported in May 2013
     a. HIV is still on the rise in the country
     b. Unprotected sex is the predominant mode of transmission

Read More

Email 407: OFW Concerns About HIV Test/Treatment

hi po..ako po si XXX..last Dec.2012 nalaman ko po na hiv + po ako pagkatapos ng medical for renueing visa sa bansang Malaysia..last  feb.2013 umuwi po ako pinas..pero ntakot po ako na malaman ng pamilya ko..XXX po location ko..

ano po ba ang mga hakbang na ggawin ko para sa situation ko..meron po ba tayong free hiv test and hiv treatment?sana  

mbigyan mo po ako ng advise

Read More

Email 356: Another Worried OFW

Mr. Pozziepinoy,

i would like to seek for your advice regarding with my condition now...sir sa 220 lng po sobrang takot ang nrrmadaman ko sa ngaun..khit n  dpa nmn ako cgurado na positive nga po ako...but i have those symtoms for about a week nrin, until now dpa din po ako ngppunta ng hospital mhirap ang sitwasyon po dto sa abroad kung sakaling gnun nga amg mging result. im 25 yrs.old sir pozzie ang daming pangarap lalo n sa pamilya ko akala ko ako ang bread winner ng pamilya pero ndi pla nttkot ako sa posibleng mngyari sa isang iglap mwwla lhat ng pangarap ko sa buhay..opo npka negatibo ko mgisip, sumagi nrin po sa isip ko ng kung sakali man...ang naiisip ko nlng n dhilan ay ang mag suicide..auko npo kc bigyan pa ng problema ang pamilya ko ...hirap n kmi sa buhay tas madadagdagan pa at ako pa ang dhilan...sir sa tingin nyo po b mas ok n dto nako mag pacheck o uuwi nlng  ako ng pinas?? problema ko padin po kc ndi pa tpus ang contract ko bka isa ko png bbyran un pag ngkataon sir...sir hindi ko po alam ang ggwin ko..

Salamat po......

XXX

TRANSLATION

Hi Mr. Pozziepinoy.

I would like to seek for your advice regarding with my condition now. Sir, to be honest with you I am so scared with what I am feeling right now. Even though I am not sure yet that I am really positive, I feel I have it because because of the symptoms that I am having for about a week now. up to now I haven't gone to the hospital yet.  My situation is hard as I am working abroad if in case the result will be positive. I', 25 years old, Sir Pozzie. I have a lot of dreams especially for my family. I thought I will be the bread winner of the family but if in case I won't be anymore. I was thinking of committing suicide. I really don't want to give my family more problems. We are having financial difficulties and more problems may arise all because of me. Sir, do you think it would be best for me to take the test here or should I come back to the Philippines? My problem is my contract has not ended yet and I was worrying that I will be paying for it just in case. Sir, I really don't know what to do.

Thank you very much.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding the blog.

I can feel your situation right now. I know it is scary as you think about your future, your responsibilities and your family in case you are positive. However, as long as you have not taken the test yet, you won't know if you have it or not based on what you are feeling or based on the symptoms that you have right now. Only the HIV test will determine if you have it or not, period.

Please don't think negative of yourself. I know now you feel you have it because you may have been exposed before but there is a 50% chance that you don't have it. Please focus on what you can control. Over thinking, over researching won't do you any good. 

If I were you, just take the test. If the country that you are working in right now is not too sensitive to people with HIV, then by all means take it now. If you know that there is discrimination there, just come home for a short visit and take the test here. 

Let me enlighten you with HIV here in the Philippines. HIV is not a death sentence anymore. Here in the country, ARV's (HIV medicines) are free as well as the consultation of HIV doctors coming from the hub. The lab tests required to be enrolled in the treatment hubs are not that expensive. Also, there is no HIV discrimination here in the country and the HIV test is not a requirement for employment. 

Having said all of these, HIV is not an obstacle. It is what we think about HIV that makes us not reach our dreams, not to be fulfilled with our jobs, and not to help provide to our families. Being a Filipino, I know you are resilient. I know you can surpass this. All you need to do is to do what I told you to do and trust me when I said that everything will be ok.

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

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

Read More

Email 355: Confused OFW

Hi Mr. Pozzie,

I started reading your blog since i found myself for some symptoms of hiv. I'm an OFW. Mr. pozzie until now i dont know if im positive but my symptoms are still in my body for about weeks..it;s really hard to make some test here in abroad it's very complicated one thing is im very much afraid...  i dont know what possible reason to my company for them to let me go and going back to the phil...i haven't finish my contract yet..right now i don;t know what to do..one thing sir is it okay if i take vitamins until now even if i have those symptoms?? .. i hope u can give me an advise sir...

i read some articles here na ngpplakas ng loob ko khit minsan naiisp ko n bumitaw once na mlaman ko n positive nga po ako..sir pozzie ang hirap po pla...sana po matulungan nyo ko..more power sir to your advocacy ang dami nyo po nttulungan at nbbgyan ng pag -asa.... 

(Translation: I read some articles here that makes me feel strong eventhough at times I feel I’m ready to give up when I learned that I was positive. Sir Pozzie it was really hard. I wish you could help me. More power to you sir and to your advocacy. You are helping a lot and you are giving hope to many).

Thanks,

Drew

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi Drew.

Thank you for your email., Thank you for finding the blog.

I know it is scary especially that you still don't know your HIV status. What is more scary is that you can't get tested in the country you are in right now because of the fear that you might b e sent home and your employment be terminated. I do understand your predicament. However, you won't feel better if you have not done your responsibility to yourself yet, that is, taking the HIV test. Of course a lot of things will go through your mind and the peace of mind won't be there.

My advice to you is simple. Either come home or go to another country to take the HIV test. This is the best for you, trust me. It is a win-win scenario. If you are HIv negative then you can go on with your life. However if you are HIv positive, then at least you will know what your next move will be instead of always thinking about things. Trust me, the fear of the unknown is the hardest to overcome and by gating the test will relax your mind and help you to focus on the things that you need to do.

You were asking me if you can take vitamins. Of course you can but if in case you have indeed the virus, then it won't stop the virus from replicating and harm your immune system. It is really best to know your status now while you are still strong so that you can get the best possible treatment, well just in case you are indeed positive.

Everything is scary but you need to overcome it by facing this responsibility for yourself and for the people who love you.

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

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

Read More

Email 280: OFW Wants to Come Home

Dear Pozzie, 

My sister got Hiv+ she knew only few month ago, when she got sick and stop menstrual period. She is an ofw , her employer didn't give her last salary and they hold the passport on their hand. When my sister get sick, she decide to going back Philippine. She asked her passport the employer hand it to her but she discover her visa already expired. They did not talked to her about it, they keep silent while she continued work to them. Now she cannot going home,coz of penalty over due of visa 20,000 and air ticket. Her health getting worse everyday, I worried she wil die here. Please give me some advise. Thank You!

XXX

Read More

Email 269: Scared and Coming Home!

Few days from now am going home, facing the reality that once I knew couple months ago.

I can't deny the time I've wasted, the opportunities of what should I be enjoying. I can't blame anyone, but this is the fruit of my misbehavior.

Read More

Email 229: OFW from Abu Dhabi

Hi Mr. Pozziepinoy,

Greetings!

My name is XXX from Abu Dhabi.  I've been here for six years na po.  Bisexual po ako.  Share ko lng po yung experience ko lately kasi natatakot po ako na baka magkaroon ako ng HIV. 

Read More

Email 225: Serodiscordant Couple in Massachusetts

Hello Pozziepinoy,

I am a Pinoy living in Massachusetts and I'm HIV positive. I just found out this year January 2nd. I felt so much pain and heartbroken. I felt like the world shattered on me. I don't know what to do right now I felt very sad and depressed. But because of the support of my wife I feel good inside. With the love and care unconditionally that she gives to me. She tested negative.

Read More

Email 221: OFW Who Thinks He Has HIV

Hello Pozziepinoy.

Ask lang ako about hiv testing. My posibilidad po ba magkaroon ng hiv kahit gumamit ng condom. Im here in singapore gumamit ako ng babaing bayadan thailand national cia. Lasing ako noon kaya hndi ganon katigas ang ari ko. Pero gumamit ako ng condom cguro 5mins lang ang penetration then tapos na. Wala ng sumunod dun. Last August pa po nangyari yun.

Read More

Email 213: OFW Plans To Come Home

Hello,

I came across your blog and I am very happy to learn so many things about HIV in the Philippines.

I originally planned to return to the Philippines (for good) last December. However, I tested positive for HIV last June and started treatment last August. 

Read More