Email 492: Next Steps for A New PLHIV

Hi Mr. Pozziepinoy, Ako po si XXX, balikbayan na po ako dito sa Pilipinas since July 27, 2013 after I've been diagnosed in Singapore for HIV Positive. Unang una po hindi po ako straight & there were times that I had unprotected sex with same. The medical test is for the renewal of my employment pass for another 2 yrs working with under the same employer. This test was made on May 17, 2013 with a follow up test on May 30, 2013 for confirmation....

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Word of Advice from a PLHIV

I was diagnosed with HIV 2 months months. Like most other Pinoys, my reason for not getting tested is (1) fear (2) if i'm positive, there's no cure anyway.  But I learned my lesson the hard way. There are certainly a lot of advantages to get tested NOW if you are at a high risk group. In fact, it could be a matter of life and death. As for myself, I only had my HIV test when my immune system was so low and I was already getting all these...

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PLHIV Story: Moymoy, The Rebirth

Good Morning Pozzie and to all supporters of this blogsite. You can call me as Moymoy (That was my code name). And this is my Story, I discovered that i was a bisexual when i was in highschool. I had my first gf and broke up immediately because of i get confused on my sexual preference.When i was in college days, insecure ako lagi because ang mga barkada ko na girl, they are all happy with their respective lovelifes. I always feel i'm alone....

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Metro Manila HIV Testing Centers

UPDATED LIST OF METRO MANILA HIV TESTING CENTERS ...

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One Person in Every 3 Hours Gets Diagnosed with HIV in the Philippines

I have read this article in TIME Magazine that one person every three hours gets diagnosed with HIV in the Philippines. Can you believe that? While the rest of the world shows a decline in the cases of HIV, the Philippines belongs to a few countries where HIV is still on the rise. My contributor, Malcolm Brown even posed this question: "Is this a reflection that more people in Manila ( since the highest percentage came from Manila alone) don't...

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Email 491: Can I Still Play Volleyball?

hi poh, can you still play volleyball if ever HIV positive po ang isang tao? i do not know yet my status but naka pag test na ako last week kaso wla pa yong result.. volleyball player kasi aq sa aming department this coming intrams 2013 maybe september pa poh.. makaka pag laro pa kaya aq ng intense? or do i need to back out na po kasi my HIV aq at baka ma trigger pa yung virus if ever it comes out positive ang result this week?  tnx n advance...

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Icon Clinic: HIV Testing Center in Quezon City

"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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QUICKIE: TLY's Makati HIV Testing

Fast. Easy. QUICKIE by LoveYourself Confidential Our special, FREE HIV testing for men is back in August for one night only. Mark the date: AUGUST 23, FRIDAY. MAKATI 5pm - 1am (next day). Feel good on a Friday night. Get tested. Register for updates at http://go.LoveYourself.ph/QUICKIE ...

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164 of the 431 New HIV Cases in Metro Manila Alone!

When I got diagnosed in September 2011, there were only 253 new HIV cases based on the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry of September 2011 by the DOH-NEC. Now, based on the same report for June 2013, there are already 431 new HIV cases. (Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry June 2013 Report)  ALARMING! 164 of the 431 new HIV cases came from Metro Manila alone, and still has the highest percentage of cases in any region in the Philippines! ALARMING! It...

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Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry: June 2013 Report

The Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry of the Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center has just released its June 2013 Report. From the report, there are 431 new cases of HIV, which is 46% higher compared to last years report. 95% of the cases were males. The 20-29 age group had the most number of cases. Still, males having sex with males were the predominant type of sexual transmission with 88% of the cases. The bulk of the cases came...

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Email 490: ARV's with High CD4?

Hi POZZIE, I was recently diagnosed with HIV and I am just about coping up. I was just diagnosed 1st week of July this year. I got my cd4 count and it's still 744 on July29 and the doctor said I don't need to start ARVs. I just read po in some articles that people who start ARVs immediately have better chances of recovering regardless of CD4 count. Shall I still opt to go for ARVs na po or do I just do all natural means...

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Email 489: Worried About My Symptoms

Hi.  Im XXX.  Im wide awake right now. Im from the Philippines. I am experiencing cough, slight headache, lack of energy, loss of apetite and low grade fever for 3 days now. When i went to the toilet, i almost went out of balance. I also had night sweats. I am on the late stage? Can i still live longer if i take the arv ? I have not subjected my self to the test but im sure all the signs and symptoms are indicative that i am hiv pos.....

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Email 488: Peace of Mind at 6 Months

Hi gud morning...i just want to ask  if my test is already conclusive... i had  my last unprotected sex (anal sex) am the bottom last january 2012 with my friend..then my last exposured through oral sex was  january  2013...i had my first test last march 2013 and my second test is june 2013 and it come out NON REACTIVE the method they use is RAPID TEST ...should i retest again ? do i need to have peace of mind? tnx. PS: please...

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Email 487: Conclusive at 3 or 6 Months?

Hi pozzie. Your blog on hiv and hiv testing is really helping a lot of people based on the response from your readers. I myself read it almost everyday to get updates and it really calms my nerves. I am also thankful to the staff of RITM Malate for their warm and friendly assistance during my test. Anyway, i got tested at RITM Malate exactly 12 weeks post exposure last June. Fortunately, the result was non-reactive. I just want to ask if this...

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Email 486: Manila HIV and AIDS Treatment Hubs

Hi, Thanks for answering my first inquiry. I would like to ask some more questions: 1. I plan to get a second opinion, is that advisable? 2. Is there any other place where I can take the CD4 test and other tests aside from RITM Alabang? Do they have like a branch or satellite office where I can take the test? (I'm from the province up north that is why its a big obstacle for me to be there before 7AM). Thanks and more power, M...

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PLHIV Story: Keep Swimming

My reel and real story. Call me Grey, not my real name.I am HIV +, it’s been two months since I knew my result. I am from South of the Islands of the Philippines - Cagayan de Oro.     I call it as my Dark Age or simply RESTLESS Days.I had a wonderful and simple life here in the suburbs but I chose to work in  a Big city for better opportunities. Financially My family can provide me and brother the things...

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Pregnancy and HIV

I have received a lot of emails from both women and men who have HIV here in the Philippines and who are living in other countries, who feel that their dreams of having a family has been shuttered because of our incurable disease. Both husbands and wives are worried that they will pass the virus to both their partners and their babies during the process. Because of this I researched about it and I found some answers in the 100 Questions and Answers...

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AIDS on Stage!

May we invite you to see the play "KIRIRIRNG AIDA'T MACARAEG" on Aug 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10/ 3pm and 6pm. AIDS ON STAGE: “Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” ...

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Email 485: Confused New PLHIV

Hi, I live in the Philippines and I was referred to RITM Alabang for CD4 examination and other test. I would   just like to know: 1. When are they open? (day and time they can accommodate me) 2. How long does the test(s) take? 3. Is the CD4 test for free? If not, how much does it cost? 4. Are the other test for free? if not, how much does it cost per test? Hope you can help me as I'm a bit confused right now. Thanks! M ...

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Email 484: Brother is HIV Reactive

Hi Pozzie,  Nabasa ko website mo...today sinamahan ko brother ko sa RITM Satellite, in Malate, Manila ..after 2hours, the result came out...it was HIV reactive.. Negative naman sa HEPA and STD... Tanong ko sana...sabi mo kasi 100% na accurate ito..and no need for confirmatory...pag ba positive sa HIV (reactive) eh meaning HIV POSITIVE na brother ko? sbi need nya kumuha na CD4 sa RITM Alabang... Please reply back. ...

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Email 483: On STD's Boils, Shingles and HIV Symptoms

Hi pozzie nagbabasa ko ng blog mo. ask ko lang kasi nag kaSTD ako 4 years ago. nkipag sex ako sa bayarang babae. then nagamot nmn ito ng mga antibiotic na pescribe ng doktor. nagkaron ulit ako 1 year after. this time d ko na alam ang dahilan. pero nagamot ulit ng antibiotics now married nako with 1 child. last month nagkaroon ako ng pigsa. 2 beses sa loob ng 2 months. pro wla na. then ung baby ko ngaun nagka  kulebra...

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Email 482: Decided to Take the Test!

pozzie, hi! i don't know you personally but your blogs enlighten me. naicipan ko mag msg sayo to ask help personally. at first or kahit hanggang ngyon pa naman.. natatakot ako mag pa test.  kahit na alam ko malaki ang chance or around 70% sure na infected nko ng virus. nag start ako mag worry when someone texted me na he is positive. hindi cya nagpakilala saken. pero sinabi nya na we had sex before.  he just simply informing me...

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Email 481: Getting Another Test

yung partner go confirm hiv carrier.were 3 months together kakatest q lng sa ritm satelite this july 2013..i wanna ask kung pwede p rin q mg patest uli kc pkiramdam q n may mga symtoms n rin ako..pwede p b uli ako mag patest... TRANSLATION My partner got confirmed as an HIV carrier. We are 3 months together now and I just had my HIV test in RITM Satellite CLinic  this July 2013. I wanna ask if I can get tested again as I...

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Email 480: HIV Test and Anal Wart Removal

Hi Hi Pozziepinoy i send this email because i need your help..im worrying because i have a anal wart.matagal na ito 2010 pa im just worried baka may HIV ako..san pwd magpatest at  magpatanggal ng anal wart...at magkano ..hintayin ko po reply ninyo..thanks Regards XXX TRANSLATION Hi Pozziepinoy. I sent this email because I need your help. I'm worrying because i have an anal wart since 2010. I am worried because I...

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The "Worried-Well"

I have been receiving emails, text messages and phone calls from people who already took the HIV test, with negative results and still think that they are infected with HIV. Some took the test, 6 months post exposure but still experience symptoms that they believe to be HIV-related which they have read over the internet or have heard from other PLHIV's. I got concerned about this before as more and more people are asking for my advice about this...

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More TIPS!!!

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS 1. The first few weeks on ART are the hardest! That is the reason why the hubs give a trial period of ARV's for monitoring Usually the side effects come out in 2 weeks to one month. However, there are some side effects that come out even years of taking ARV's 2. Be sure to keep all of your follow-up appointments Don't skip your doctor's appointments After the initial trial period, plan for CD4/CBC...

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Sensory Problems and ARV's

Source: The ART of Adherence, HIV Counseling Toolkit Peripheral neuropathy typically manifests as pain or numbness in your hands and feet, and can be caused by HIV infection itself (especially when the CD4 cell count is less than 200 cells/mm3). Neuropathy can also be caused by some ART medications. The initial symptom is a "pins-and-needles" feeling in your hands and/or feet (similar to the sensation of a foot "waking up" after "falling asleep")....

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Email 479: On Drug Testing

Good day! Tanong ko lang po... about sa drug testing results. I'm taking estiva 600 (efavirenz) and avocomb (lamivudine/zidovudine), will it show false positive results? Do i have to indicate that i'm taking these medicines so that they will not mark my result as positive? I'm applying for another job and I'm becoming paranoid on what to do during medical exams for the pre-employment. Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon. ...

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Skin Rashes and ARV's

Source: The ART of Adherence, HIV Counseling Toolkit Sometimes, skin problems are caused by HIV infection itself and will get better once you start ART, but ARV's can also cause rashes. The majority of such rashes are of mild to moderate severity. rashes usually appear within a few weeks after starting a new medication and go away as your body gets used to the drug. Some rashes can indicate an extremely serious or even life threatening reaction,...

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The Love Fund: July 2013 Report

Here is the list of the beneficiaries of The Love Fund this July 2013: Assistance: 1. r13rmd- Orange card assistance 2. r10vtc- inhaler for asthma 3. r13rmr- transportation expense...

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Diarrhea and ARV's

Source: The ART of Adherence, HIV Counseling Toolkit". While HIV Infection and other illnesses can cause diarrhoea, it is also a frequent side effect of ART, especially in the aerly weeks after starting on ART. Diarrhea is usually defined as more than 4 loose or watery stools per day for more than 3 days. It is difficult for your body to get enough nourishment and fluids when you have diarrhoea. make sure you drink water or some kind of electrolyte...

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Feeling Tired with ARV's

Source: The Art of Adherence, An HIV Counseling Toolkit. Feeling tired is one of the most common side effects of HIV infection. However, if you feel more tired than usual after starting ART, that fatigue may be caused by the ARV's Most Commonly Caused by:  ALL ARv's to some degree for the first few weeks, but especially zidovudine, lamivudine and combination regimens that include both drugs. What To Do: Fatigue should go away as your body...

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