Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry: August 2013 Report

The Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry of the Department of Health National Epidemiology Center (DOH-NEC), just released its August report. The data presented showed that there were 382 new HIV cases in the country. This is 67 lower than the previous months data (449 reported cases in July 2013).  From the report, most of the 382 cases were male (96%), and 341 cases (89%) had sexual contact as the mode of transmission. Males having sex...

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PLHIV Story: My Update

Hi Pozzie, I finally went to RITM-ARG Alabang last Friday.. did some baseline test and the dreaded CD4 count. Since this is my first visit the doctor is requiring me to have additional test like syphilis etc. I found out that my CD4 count is 55 I know that's very low. Hopefully when i get back this Tuesday i can finally start my ARV since the result for the tests will be out tuesday. I also met some pozzies, got to talk to them, heard their...

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Email 646: Had an Encounter with a PLHIV

Call me Mr. X. it was JUNE of this year I had contact with sogmebody.. nakilala ko lang po sya sa bus. tinanung ko sya kung my sakit sya?. ang sabi nya ehh. wala my napansin akong rashes sa balat nya ang sabi nya ehh. "skin asthma" daw un.. then nagkarun kami ng quikee contact pero "insertive fellatio" lang ung nangyari. mga couple of minutes lang yung contact.. after noon. we exchange no. ...

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Email 645: My Pulmonologist

Hi!  Good day! I saw your page when I browsed for chronic cough specialist here in the Philippines. I'm hiv negative but suffering chronic cough. I just wanna ask for the contact details of your pulmonologist just to try his/her service. Thank you. and hope for your reply.  J...

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Email 644: Worried About Having Unprotected Sex

Hello Pozzie, Good day! First of all I would like to commend your blog. I have read a lot about HIV / AIDS lately and I am really thankful because it is very inspiring, informative and educational. Moving on, I would like to raise some questions regarding my situation. I am a really alarmed and anxious....

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Email 643: Conclusiveness at 87 days?

Hi Sir Pozzie, Good day! I would like to ask if my HIV including HBSAG and Sy tests made last August 24 (70 days post exposure) and September 9 (87 days post exposure) at RITM-MALATE  were already conclusive? (Thank GOD result was non Reactive). I had an experienced an oral sex from a Masseur last June 14 (actually my 1st time). I got scared and attacking with anxiety..currently I experienced nerve and muscle pains..One...

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The Love Fund: September 2013 Report

Here is the September 2013 Report of Beneficiaries of The Love fund SPECIFIC NEEDS OF PLHIV'S 1.R13jtd  "J" was assisted with admission fees, medicines, laboratory, and hospital bills nya 2.R13aaj bronco-asthmatic patient: was helped with his meds 3. r10vtc asthma patient: was assited with his inhaler inhaler 4. r07msd inpatient: was assisted with hospital bills and laboratory fees 5. "S" new patient, was helped with her medicines 6.r13...

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PLHIV Story: Story of Vans

Hi guys, I was diagnosed positive  last May 30, 2013, together with the diagnosis, I have HBV and had Sy 2nd degree. I thought, these are the only STIs I have. Surprisingly, I have anal warts, too. I decided to schedule my surgical warts removal on December this year in Makati Med but my attending doctor is not aware that I have anal warts because I'm too shy to share it with him. ...

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Email 642: HIV Testing Site in CDO

Dear Pozzie Pinoy, I am scared to death I have contracted HIV from an unknown person, whom I met online.  Although, symptoms of HIV are non specific, I can't help but feel that what I am experiencing is HIV related.  Please help me locate an anonymous testing site in CDO. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.  XXX ...

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Email 641: Protecting My Identity

Hi. Just want to ask, if I go to Klinika Bernardo for HI test, is it possible not give personal details, even my true name? Typica...

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Email 640: PGH-SAGIP as Hub of Choice

Hi, 2 months ako nadiagnose ako na HIV+. Until now hindi pa din ako pumupunta sa RITM dahil sa work ko and sobrang layo sa totoo lang naiisip ko from NORTH to SOUTH ng Metro.Gusto ko na talaga malaman ang CD4 ko. Tanong  ko lang pozzie kung pwede sa PGH-Sagip na lang ako pumunta ipakita ko yung results ng test ko galing sa RITM satellite clinic?  Thanks! XXX...

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Email 639: HIV Test, 5 Days Post Exposure

Hi, I had unprotected sex 5 days ago. Is it okay to get tested already? Kinakabahan kasi ako nagkaroon ako ng sorethroat i think meron plema sa lalamunan ko.. (translation: I am scared since I am having sore throat and I think theres phlegm in my throat). I'm planning to get tested this sat on the RITM satellite clinic since its free (I'm not a patient there is it still free?). If the result will be negative, is it still possible for to have...

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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...

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Email 638: HIV Test in Dubai

hello there.  I'm XXX. I have met a nice Filipino guy in Dubai and we want to start a relationship. We would like to take a hiv test together and get results together. Do you know of any places in Dubai? thanks XXX ...

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Care Assistance Program - Hubs

Want to be assisted  for FREE in RITM-ARG, Alabang for your   baseline tests, CD4 and consultation? Our  CARE MANAGER can  ASSIST YOU Please contact  GERALD SANTOS 0917-899-0473 "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...

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Email l 637: Want a CD4 Test Even When negative!

Hi Pozziepinoy.  Pwede po ba at paano makaka pacheck ng CD4 kahit negative ang hiv test result? Thanks po. TRANSLATION Hi Pozziepinoy. Is it possible and how can I check my CD4 even though my HIv test result is negative? Thank you. ...

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Email 636: HIV Test in RITM Satellite Clinic

Hi, Just want to ask about the free HIV test being conducted in the RITM Satellite clinic. - What do you call these test? - How many are the test? - How long does the test usually take? Hope you can answer my questions. XXX ...

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Email 635: What Can I Do?

Hi Pozziepinoy. Tawagin nyo na lang po akung si JayAr. Nagkarun po ako ng unprotected insertive fellatio sa isang HIV positive mayron po akong nakitang rashes sa balat nya. According sa research maliit ang chance na mgkarun ako ng hiv. ngpatest na po ako after 2 months and its negative. sana after ng 5 months negative parin po.. anu po bang yung action ko para maging negative ako ayokong mag antay ng walang ginagawa. i appreciate your...

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Email 634: Interactions Between Medicines and HIV Test

Hello po.  Magtatanong lang. Kung may iniinom akong gamot, makaka apekto ba to sa HIV test results ko? Kung sakali, anong mga gamot ang pwedeng maka apekto sa test results ko?   Kinakabahan kasi ako Salamat po TRANSLATION Hello. I would like to ask a question. If I am to take medicines, will it affect the HIV test results? If ever, what medicines can affect the result? I am just scared. Thank you....

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Email 633: Flu Vaccine and HIV Test

I want to take the HIV test. I recently had a flu vaccination. Would this have any effect? If yes, how long should I wait? Thanks!...

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Looking for Volunteers!!!!

ADVISORY The Project Red Ribbon  is looking for  VOLUNTEERS for our  CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM If you want to be a volunteer assistant  to the  HIV TESTING  please call  Marky Manlangit: 0916-346-2538 If you want to be a volunteer assistant  to the  HIV/AIDS Treatment Hubs  please call  Gerald Santos: 0917-899-0473 If you want to be a volunteer  Manager/Coordinator  for...

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HIV/AIDS and the Common Cold

I know a lot of PLHIV's are having colds and cough nowadays because of the weather here in the Philippines. A lot of them have been texting me as they have bouts of fever, cough, flu and colds. Some are really scared as sometimes their illnesses will last for more than 2 weeks. I for one, got scared when I had a cold and was coughing for 2 weeks. Even though my CD4 is way above 550 and my viral load undetectable, even the common cold gave me a...

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Email 632: To Go to The Hub or Not?

Hi Pozzie, I just got my confirmatory test and im planning to go ritm alabang soon. But right now i have rashes.. my derma prescribed prednisone, antihistamine, and derma ointments. Btw this derma dont know that im hiv + and im not really sure if i can tell her that because shes my hmo doctor.. so if she knew that im a pozzie my consultation will not be covered by my hmo. So im still undecided whether to tell her or not.. Right now my medication...

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