HIV Testing in the Philippines – What you need to know and what you must know.
HIV Testing in the Philippines – How to get tested.
The Department of Health now ranks Philippines as one of the countries that has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world with a prevalence rate of 5% nationwide. There is a 20-25% prevalence rate in Metro Manila and 15-20% prevalence rate in Cebu. This rate dwarfed the prevalence rate in South Africa, which has the largest population of HIV positive individuals in the world, with a mere 4.7%. Prevalence rate refers to the percentage of individual affected by the disease at specific time. With that in mind, we can say that right now, in a population of 110 Million Filipinos, there are 5.5 Million individuals currently living with HIV.
Mere 5 years ago when I started making this blog, The Philippines is a low prevalence country with less than 1% of the population affected by HIV. This rapidly growing epidemic if left uncontrolled will eventually make The Philippines at par with South Africa with 1 out 10 individuals affected with HIV. So what went wrong? As a nurse with 15 years experience handling HIV cases and working actively with HIV positive individuals, here are my personal conclusions, do take note that this conclusions are not even close with the official conclusion of the Department of Health on why HIV became a rapidly growing epidemic in The Philippines. I personally think that their conclusion is too traditional and not in touch with the modern activities of our youth.
- DOH says that the resistance of the Church to some forms of birth control is a contributing factor on the HIV epidemic right now. I say that HIV is most commonly seen in the young population. A population that makes their own decision and is rebellious to the church teachings. Though the Church could have cause some sort of contribution, I do believe that the lack of sex education in our school particularly to our youth is a more blameable culprit than the Church. Did you know that people ages 14 to 30 makes up the 95% of newly diagnosed HIV cases each month and the median age of affected individual for the last 5 years is just 28 years old?
- DOH says prostitution or sex for money is a contributing factor of the epidemic and should be eradicated. I say that, prostitution cannot be eradicated. Since the dawn of human civilization, there is prostitution and it is something that is very hard to control much less eradicated from our society. What DOH can do is to provide an ID system and free monthly checkup to our sex workers to protect them as well as the people that they serve. This will also encourage the client to only have sex with a “clean” sex worker. This will also further educate our sex workers on proper ways of protecting themselves from different sexually transmitted infection as well as unwanted pregnancy.
- DOH says that persons under 18 who wants to test for HIV should require parental consent. I say that, I have clients with HIV at age 13, 14, 15… and that is because of failure in health promotion. The accessibility of casual sex thru apps like Grindr and other dating apps makes it very easy for 2 complete strangers to have sex consensually and thus, spreading the virus like wildfire to our young and techie population. These individuals would never dare to ask their parents permission to go with them and get tested, our culture against premarital sex and our bigotry against the LGBT makes it impossible to do so. HIV testing should be accessible to ANYONE at ANY AGE on their own volition.
THE CURRENT STATISTICS (2017)
It is estimated that there 1,000 reported HIV cases per month since the 6 months of 2016. At that rate, we can assume that there are 30 to 50 reported HIV cases daily. This does not include unreported cases. Unreported cases are HIV positive individuals who do not know they are infected. The epidemic growth rate is about 200% per year. This means that if not controlled, we could see a tenfold growth of HIV cases (300-500 cases per day) within the next 10 years.
– DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
HOW TO GET TESTED: HIV TESTING IN THE PHILIPPINES
One of the most important thing to do to prevent transmission is knowing your status. HIV is a very controllable disease as long as it is detected early and has not yet done major damage to your organs most specially the Liver, Kidneys and the Brain. There are many ways of getting tested for HIV in the Philippines. We will discuss each of them, one by one including their advantages and disadvantages.
I. Hospitals
Testing by going to hospitals is one of the most common means of getting tested. There are 5 hospitals in our country that specializes with HIV counseling and testing as well as referrals in case you tested positive and needing further treatment. In no particular order: RITM, San Lazaro Hospital, St. Lukes Medical Center both in Quezon City and Global, Makati Medical Center and Medical City in Ortigas. Do take note that the cost for HIV testing is around 1,100 to 3,800 in the private hospitals I mentioned.
PROS: If done correctly, results are very accurate. This is also the only results acknowledged in various employment and immigration requirements.
CONS: There is always an issue with regards to privacy and confidentiality getting tested in any hospital. Though privacy is protected by our health care professionals, there are many incidents of information leakage caused by poor protocol with regards to transfer of information such as students getting free access to medical records without permission or a slip of tongue during a conversation of one of the member of the health care team handling the HIV case. Hacking is another risk when it comes to electronically stored medical information and records of medication being dispensed from the Pharmacy and to whom.
When it comes to public hospitals, though uncommon, there are recorded cases of results being switched between patients. It is not unheard of that a certain person tested positive though in reality, he is negative simply because a specimen sample was incorrectly labeled with his name. Lapse in judgment and concentration of our overworked and underpaid medical professionals is the main culprit in most cases.
II. Free tests done by Volunteer groups
We have friendly, volunteer groups that do testing for free. You can call them and schedule a visit and let them know that you are interested in getting tested.
LOVE YOURSELF MALATE HUB
#1850 Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila.
Contact: 353-8922
LOVE YOURSELF ANGLO HUB
Unit 5, 3/F, Anglo Building, #715-A Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
Contact: 0915-366-5683
PROS: Free and they offer counselling as well. Staff are very friendly, professional and trained.
CONS: Privacy and result confidentiality are concerns when it comes to free and public testing. Though trained, innocent conversations could lead to information leakage both consciously and unconsciously. There are cases wherein a Volunteer saw a recently positive patient in the mall and told his friend that “That guys just tested positive yesterday.”
III. HIV testing kits
Advanced home test kits like Fujibio HIV kit has 99.9% accuracy similar to that of Hospital based testing.
Testing kits are widely used as the main method in HIV detection in some hospitals and hygiene clinic. All free testing done by volunteer groups uses HIV test kits. HIV testing hubs also uses HIV kits. Medical missions and workplace testing will usually use HIV testing kits. They are easy to use with result at 99.9% accuracy seen in mere 10 minutes. The common brands in The Philippines are Fujibio and SD Bio. Fujibio is Japanese made and Japan FDA approved while SD Bio is Korean made and Korean FDA approved. Both should give an accurate result with 99.9% certainty similar to that of hospital based testing. Only Fujibio HIV test kits are the only one you can buy online.
Fujibio’s Japan FDA Registration. Click photo to enlarge.
PROS: Very easy to use and results are very accurate. FDA Japan Approved. Do note that here in The Philippines, FDA does not approve any home test kits to encourage hospital only testing. I would personally recommend testing using test kits first as to give you an accurate idea of your status before going to the hospital. That way, you will know that you will test negative or positive in advance privately. It is also very convenient and you are assure that only you will know the result. Fujibio hiv test kits being sold online also offers free counseling.
CONS: Since the person that bought the kit will usually test himself or herself, Anxiety could lead to testing delay. Some people will contemplate for weeks before using the test kits and then eventually forgets that he bought one.
A positive HIV test using an HIV Home Test Kit
I TESTED POSITIVE. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
If you used any of my recommendations above in getting tested and you tested positive, DO NOT DESPAIR. HIV is a very controllable disease and achievement of undetectable viral load is the treatment goal. Living a normal life is very possible with HIV as long as treatment is started and adherence to the treatment regimen is established. We have 2 options in getting treated.
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
RITM is the premiere and the leading facility in The Philippines when it comes to antiretroviral drug distribution as well as treatment for HIV patients. This should be your first choice in obtaining confirmatory results and further treatment if the initial testing result was positive. RITM is more specialized than San Lazaro and could deal with serious HIV related complications such as Mycobacterium Bovis infection as well as cryptococcal infection of the brain.
For commuters:
- Take a bus or van going to Alabang.
- Look for the Muntinlupa Fire Station.
- Ride a UV express/van or a multicab with a Filinvest Ikot route in front of the Orange Building and Festival Mall just besides the fire station.
- Tell the driver to drop you off at RITM.
Total estimated fare cost: 60 -120 Pesos.
For private vehicles:
- Proceed to SLEX.
- Exit at Filinvest.
- Turn left after the toll gate.
- RITM is just at the right side.
Process:
- Ensure that you arrive before 7:00 A.M for baseline testing. You will not be entertained if you arrive late.
- Once inside, simply proceed to the ARG clinic.
- Register.
- Proceed to the cashier and pay 150 pesos for the orange patient sheet.
- Proceed to ARG and await for your name to be called.
- CD4 testing for positive patients are available after 1:00 P.M except during Wednesdays and weekends.
- Distribution of antiretroviral drugs are given monthly. Maximum supply for 1 month is dispensed at the given schedule.
- Drugs should be free and is subsidized by Philhealth.
The Thai Red Cross Research Center
If you have the budget of about 25,000 pesos every 6 months, a possible alternative is getting tested and treated in Thailand. The Thai Red Cross Aids Research Center is one of the most advanced HIV treatment facility in the world eclipsing RITM. They use the most advanced drugs that you need to only take once a day as compared to a cocktail of 2-3 medications that the Philippines still uses. Blood works such as CD4 testing is around 500 pesos and results are ready in 3 days. The medications used in TRCARC are the best medications available and is very cheap, it will only cost you about 10,000 pesos for your 6 months supply. This same medication costs about 80,000 per 1 month supply in the United States. It is cheaper in Thailand because it is subsidized by the Thai Government. You can only purchase 6 month supply of the drug as they will require you to come back every 6 months for monitoring your health status. This advanced medication is only taken once a day and has very little side effects. They look like Centrum tablets.
The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre
Address: 104 Ratchadamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
(5 minutes’ walk from the Rajdamri BTS station and Silom MRT station)
Tel. (+66) 2-256-4107-9
Fax: (+66) 2-254-7577
Website: www.trcarc.org
DISCLAIMER: We here at HIV Test Philippines testify that opinions we expressed above are based on what we believe are facts. We are not paid by nor endorsing RITM, TRCARC and other hospitals or products mentoined above. Information above are based on what we think are best with regards to getting tested in the Philippines. Contributors here at HIV Test Philippines are HIV Counselors and are working actively for more than 5-15 years in HIV clinics in the Philippines.
sir nagkaron po ako ng paninigas at kulani sa ilalim ng pisngi ko at singaw sa lalamunan nuon pang 2008 at di pa gumagaling ,yaan ay after makipagoal sex ako sa guy ,late 2007,nagkaroon ako nito after 1 month,,i nasume ko na hiv positive ako,kaya dumaan ako sa hiv test nuong 2008,taon taon nagpapatest ako ng hiv test sa San Lazaro,at feb 2015,but the result is negative,nagpatest din ako sa San Lazaro ng ibang related std deseas, pero negative parin ang resulta,,Nagpunta na rin ako sa mga doctor sa throat pero di parin gumaling,,Mas naniniwala ako na Hiv positive ako pero di lang na dedetect sa ngaun,,di po ba posible?pwede po ba akong magpa cd4 test kahit negative ako,,
you are hiv negative, first and foremost: there is no documented case that HIV was transferred via oral sex. dun palang hindi ka na positive eh kaya hindi ka na dapat nag pa test. Maraming reason ang kulani at singaw sa lalamunan hindi lang HIV at mga STD.
Kulani is a sign na meron kang bacterial or viral infection, most likely upper respiratory tract infection. impossible naman na hindi pa gumagaling yung sorethroat mo i think you meant recurring yung sorethroat mo. You can have your cd4 tested but im 100% sure its within the normal range so you are just wasting time and money. Punta ka sa magaling na EENT para malaman bakit recurring yang sorethroat mo.
Grace question bakit namumuti ang dila k exactly 1month ako na expose sa isang sex worker
I guess my lymph nodes ka . need no patanggal tan para gumaling
Now im so stressful kakaisp nxtyr pako makakauwi need k n din magp check asap pagdting my asawa sna wla akong hiv lagi long dasal sna safe ang babae n yun anu ang lymph nodes saan to nkukuha at bkit meron ako?
Guys, i do suggest mag test muna gamit ang kit malaking bagay at mas hindi nakakakaba pag private at sa bahay ka lang mag test. To cut the long story short, I tested first using fujibio hiv kits i bought from http://www.hivtestkit.ph based kasi sa feedback ito ang pinaka accurate na kit.
so this was the result of my test:
it is the dreaded positive result. So tomorrow, pupunta ako sa RITM for a confirmatory, now i know na positive ako and I will be expecting the worst. Atleast parang na prep ako psychologically at hindi ako kinakabahan. Mas relax ika nga. I am ready to take my meds soon.
Trust me, mahirap mag pa test initially sa hospital ng wala kang idea sa magigign resulta, it will take about 1 week para ma receive ang result and it will be terrifying. Atleast in my case, I know, less stress more preparation.
sorry bro to hear, pero I agree, tama ka na mas ok mag test muna sa bahay para aware ka na kaysa kinakabahan ka sa pag antay ng resulta.
Yan din gamit ko, fujibio kit. Negative ung result ko pero di ako makamoveon at ska nagkaphobia na rin ako sa sex..paranoid na yta ako..
yes impossible po yung january contact, but all your unprotected contacts prior to that are possible contacts that can cause HIV even your GF of 3 years. Wala pong symptom ang HIV, most people are asymptomatic during the first 3 years of infection even 6 years wala pa shang symptom so the only way to know is via testing.
So im taking ur worda po na its “IMPOSSIBLE” na HIV in that early contact?
If doon po sa question mo if may unprotected contact ako prior to that is my girlfriend lang po talaga 3years na po active po kami.. so wala naman po akong naramdaman sa kanya kahit konti.. and prior din po sa girlfriend ko i had 3 more girls na naka sex my ex. Isang one nigth stand at isa pang ex a total of 5 girls vaginal contact unprotected.. and its 5years ago… pwde na po yang gawing basis ng nararamdaman ko? Not with this na naka one nigth stand ko noong january 16?
3 years na po kme ng girlfriend ko. So i assume po na wala po syang ganong sakit..
But can i assume na rin po ba na yung girl na naka one nigth stand ko is nothing to do with the symptoms im having today? Magpatest po ako bukas. If possible po na nakuha koto symptoms nato years ago. And not days ago from january 16 until now.. anyways im Disregarding na ang HIV sa utak ko kasi it will take time to develope as you said.. kasi po my Anxiety na po ako sa kakaisip kung anong nangyari sa akin.
Hindi ko sinasabing negative ka, sinasabi ko impossibleng HIV yan dahil yung contact is just a week ago… kaya im asking if nagka contact ka pa before that kasi you wont be HIV + even if you are if its less than 6 weeks after being infected. 95% of people will test positive for the infection after 3 months. So lets say nagpa hiv test ka, negative ka parin miski + ka thats why its very important na malaman mo yung mga unprotected sexual contact mo.
You wont get HIV by casual contacts like kissing, touching, etc. you wont even get HIV by giving and receiving oral sex.. there is no documented case that proves na may nagka HIV dahil sa oral sex.
Even vaginal sex na unprotected the chance to get it is 1-2%, anal sex is around 5-10%. Blood transfusion is around 20-40%.
to be sure, get tested… hindi mo pwedeng sabihin na sure ka na walang HIV yung girlfriend mo take note walang symptom ang HIV so unless na nag test yung mga naka sex mo at negative sila, you are not sure… you cant determine HIV + people by looking at them.
Hello miss grace, nagka PTB po ako pero 3months palang po nung huling sex ko at 1st time ko po yun. may posibility po ba na HIV+ agad ako kung mas nauna yung PTB ko ? Rashes lang po yung simtomas na naranasan ko at tinignan ko po sa google kung ano ang itsura ng skin rash of HIV+ , magkaiba po. Please pakisagot naman po ? nadedepressed po kasi ako eh. salamat. 19 years old lang po ako, baka po pwede nyo kong tulungan?di na po ako mkatulog ng maayos dahil sa mga nraramdaman ko. sana po pwede ko kayo macontact/matawagan.
anu puh bang mga specific Antibiotics na kailangan i take ng mga taong merong chlamydia..
kse puh nkita ko dito na it will lead to arthritis, heart problems and inflammation of testicles..
pls help me..
Maam grace ng rubbing b sa vaginal opening my risk b dun kc po FSW po sya at my contact nmn po ako sa kanya negative dw po sya kc every 2wiks medical sila sa work nya at tanong lng po ulit sa ganung work po d p b sila iissuehan ng lisensya pagngpositive sila ng cityhealth?
Thank you po.. miss Grace you Gave me a Big Relief.. na hnd po ako HIV positive. But is it really another STI problem? Sa totoo lang po pagkatapos noon nag pa check po ako ng January 17 if may UTI ako. And then.. wala naman daw po. So i jump on conclusion na HIV.
Really??? Its not HIV??? But why all the symptoms including rash.. actually its a one nigth stand.. after that.. problem in urinating na po ako at chills fever.. nakita ko po sa loveyoureselfe.com na it takes 3-6months after initial contact… or im just paranoid?? Wala naman pong nararamdaman ung girl it is just me.. so iniisip ko po baka carrier ang girl.. and ngayon po nsg start na mag sore throat ako. I had a girlfriend and im sure She’s not infected.. pwde po ba makuha ito sa kissing? I kissed a girl in the forehead.. which i think is HIV Positive
is there some other symptoms na nararamdaman muh kc ako this day meron akong headache
naramdaman ko n rin yung ibang naramdaman muh pero db ang sbe it takes yr bgo muh malaman na may HIV ka.. so bka nga klase ng STI’s yung meron ka ngayon… sbe nila Antiviral na Antibiotics.. hope we get well soon..
Hi im Erick na basa ko po lahat ng comments nyo.. actually im reasearching about symptoms of Hiv or aids. Sa totoo lang po o had an unprotected sex last january 16 2015 and after that.. i feel all the symptoms fever, fatigue, chills, problem in urinating.. diarhhea may question po ako. Bakit po ba ung iba 2 years pa bago malaman.. eh ako ilang days palang may symptoms na.. hnd ko pa po alam if positive ako sa HiV i havent tried ung test kit yet.. please Help im Having a Hard time at pumapayat na po ako. Sa kaiisip. Tulungan nyo po ako.
hi erick, jan 16 2015 unprotected sex has nothing to do with the symptoms you are experiencing impossible po.. hindi mag mamanifest ang hiv kung hindi nya pa na dadamage ang immune system mo which is too early. You are sick with other STIs/disease not with HIV.
also check, kailan pa yung ibang dates na nakipag sex ka ng walang protection baka naman may mga dates na earlier than that… For HIV symptoms to manifest it will take YEARS. HIV is asymptomatic on 95% of positive clients for the first 2-3 years.
HI grace,,,i had an unprotected sex last May 6, 2015 this year and this is my first time, then nung night din na yun,nagka prob ako sa pagdudumi ko, then nagstart na yung night sweat after one day, then after a week nagka canker sore ako, then may mga aches and pain din ako naramdaman, tapos after a month, andun parin yung mga pain mga sudden pain ito, i never had a fever, cough or vommitting, not even rashes. then ngayon pang 3rd month me mga napapansin akong kakaiba sa throat ko,, like small bump sa back ng throat, then parang nangangati,,
The best thing na gawin mo eh mgpatest ka po ASAP.
hi erick im marco nararanasan ko din yan…. i thought that its already HIV thank GOD your there…. i
think its Chlamydia or Gonorrhea heres the website search it…http://www.nwhealth.org/#
Hi guys! I’ve read your conversations about getting medicated due to HIV. I’ve been positive since January 2013, and started out CD4 count with 230+, then after 6 months of ARVs, it’s already 260+. I’ve been also diagnosed with PTB, and was totally cured after complete and nonstop medication. I’m not really sure if I should really be happy and if ARVs are really helping, but because of healthy living (kuno) I know my CD4 count should increase. Daily exercise, eating properly cooked food, hindi nagpupuyat, stopped doing drugs (i don’t smoke but I occasionally drink..) Ang nakakapagtaka lang, bakit kaya 2 gamot lang ang iniinom ko (parehas at bed time). Nagulat lang ako kasi I’ve read that some are taking six (6) drugs a day. woah. I’ll be having my next CD4 count tomorrow (January 27, 2015). Should I be concerned sa bagal ng progress ko? My treatment hub is on a private hospital kaya medyo budget budget kapag may time ang peg ko, kasi talagang mahal magkasakit (consultation fees + lab fees + transpo). The good thing is I have my partner (also HIV+), medicating with me, that’s why I have the best support system I can ever have. The stigma is always there, as I haven’t told my parents or anyone, but having someone beside you, looking after you, is really helpful.
meryl, i think your positive even before january 2013 siguro you meant na dun mo lang nalaman na positive ka? kasi at 230 CD 4, around 2 years ka ng infected or longer….
Also if yung PTB mo is mycobacterium tuberculosis or mycobacterium bovis/ibang strain?
kung 2 ang iniinom mong gamot im assuming you are taking truvada siguro… can you tell me anong gamot so i can check pero hindi normal na napaka bagal ng pag taas ng cd mo…
dapat ang pattern is
example:
cd4 count
january 2013 – 89
february – 180
march 270
april 400
may 667
june 740
july 698
august 720
sept 655
dapat ganyan ang growth nya
another example:
tested positive June 19, 2009
7/3/09 vrl 9000 cd4 – 300
8/14/09 cd4 – 350, 20%
started Atripla 9/14/09
10/5/09 vrl undetectable, WOW so fast!
12/28/09 vrl undetectable, CD4 – 615 27% cholesterol down, kidney function normal
4/26/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-600, kidney and liver numbers normal
9/9/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-685
1/3/11 vrl undetectable, CD4-700
all 2011 and Jan 2012 visits vrl undetectable CD4 ranged from 715-645
5/7/2012 vrl undetectable, CD4-615, all liver, kidney, lipids, heart functions, etc normal
so as you see, dapat 3-5 months double na agad yung CD4 mo, there is something wrong with the meds your taking im so concerned.
San po ba ang reccomended nyo na testing hispitals
Hi meryl may i know what hospital doing your treatment?
i hope tinatanong mo yung hospital ni meryl para iwasan kasi walang changes sa cd4 nya baka placebo yung gamot nya.
Oo nga po ma’am sayang yung time and money na nilalaan mo sa treatment kng ganun lang din naman…
Hi Robin De la Cruz and Grace Kho!
I need your help. Sinubukan ko yung kit and positive ako. 20 years old pa lang po ako. Di ko alam paano sasabihin sa family ko. Kailangan ko po ng help niyo about sa medication sa Thailand. Kagaya mo Robin, marami rin akong tanong sa isip ko bago ako pumunta dun. Please help me sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng information about the medication there. Gaano ako dapat katagal dun. Saan ako mananatili. Magkano yung gastos. Procedures nila dun at mga dapat ko pang malaman. Isang beses lang po ako nakipag sex and that was dec19,2012 and it was an unsafe sex. :'( Malaki ang possibility na 2 years na rin ako infected. kung ibibigay niyo po contact numbers niyo at bigyan ako ng pagkakataon na tawagan kayo, I would appreciate that! email niyo po ako: pseudonym69@usa.com. Salamat po!
You can email me sa robindelacruz67@yahoo.com.ph
Steven I understand your situation. Please be positive, mas ok n mas maaga mo malaman and mkpgtreatment k agad if ever
hi steven! accurate yung kit dun sa hivtestkit.ph dun din ako nag pos sa kit nila but still….. you need a confirmatory result muna. Kung ayaw mo talaga sa pinas sa TH ka na mag pa lab. contact mo si robin im sure he will helped you mas ok din if tandem kayong pumunta mas tipid sa hotel and expenses…
Grace question pla. Anu pla ung pinipili mo dun sa departure card sa immigration, medical/health reason ba lagi mo pinipili? Or pleasure/vacation? Skin kc medical buti di nguusisa kung anu ung ipapagamot sa thailand.
pleasure nilalagay ko robin, hindi naman sila mausisa kasi inaassume nila plastic surgery pag medical.
3months po pwde po bng mkita ung hiv? Sbi nla?
no, at 3 months you can already test the antibodies produced by the body against HIV to detect the presence of the virus. Hindi natin sinisilip ang virus mismo.
Ate grace please reply nag pahiv test po ako nung november may last sex nung may pa po .so 6 months conckusive na oo ba un
Good day! Pwede ba akong dumiretso doon ng walang dalang anything? walang recommendation. kasi I was tested positive last January. Ididisregard ko nalang sana yun dahil sa convinced ako sa treatment in thailand. Pwede ba akong dumiretso dun ng walang dalang kahit anong test result? Pls. reply I’m planning to go 3rd week of Feb.
Here’s my email po harolharold3030@gmail.com. Steven if you want sabay na tayo.
s RITM s my bayad kpg ngp hiv test or confirmatory..?and how about meds how much it will cost me..
Walang bayad Peter. Yung meds, covered ng PhilHealth pa meron ka nun.
Ms. Grace sa medical city ritm po ba wala silang treatment like in thailand? Like medicine na once a day lang itatake?
860 po ata hindi ko sure check mo sa site nila…. paypal ginamit ko pero pwede bank depo/credit card/money transfer/lbc/cebuana etc.
takumi sadly wala eh sinusunod kasi nila yung HIV program ng DOH which is 3 medications per inuman twice a day so anim… ive been there, mahirap i tolerate yung gamot na yun masakit sa chan nakakasuka nakakapanghina, i prefer talaga yung thailand treatment pero may kamahalan but once every 6 months lang naman
Really 6 meds a day?? Naku lalo yatang ayaw ko na magpacheck ng status ko ah… Medyo hnd ako fan ng paginom ng gamot eh… Would you know din po how much ist the treatment sa medical city? And if sa thailand ako ppnta Paano po ba magpasched dun sa thailand? Pwede ko po ba makuha number niyo ma’am or email? Meron po kasi ako sanang gusto iconsult kaso wala akng masabihan eh… Maraming salamat po…
yes, 3 sa morning 3 sa gabi = 6. I still remember the names of the drug.. tenofovir, emitricabine and efavirenz…
ngayon isa nalang sa gabi… atripla. Takumi, email mo yung bilihan ng kit sa kanila ako nag pa guide kaso required na mag send ka ng positive result sa kit nila para ma refer ka nila pero free lang yung kit pag ka ganun just email them sales@hivtestkit.ph they are very nice peep…. may contact sila sa thailand.
Robin how much ang nagastos m going to thailand for treatment?
Since wala akong kakilala dun around 20k lahat lahat na including airfare, accommodation, lab test, etc. btw, sa private hospital ako ngpaprescribe and Since mababa n ung cd4 count ko un marming test ang ginawa. Wala n mismong doctor sa loob ng anonymous clinic may irerecommend nmn silang mga govt or private hospital pra mkahingi k ng prescription eh sa doctor. Pero depende sa doctor mo kung bibigyan k agad ng 6 mos prescription ako kc one month lng so kelangan ko ulit bumalik after 1 month. Then pg ok na pede n pkiusapn n after 6 months na
Hi Robin,
Kakatest ko lang today using fujibio kit and I think I’m positive. Ung T section may sobrang faint thin line almost to none diko alam kung kelangan ko ba magpatest ulit kaso hindi ko alam kung saan. And if positive ako then for sure ganun din ung partner ko. Now, we dont know what to do next and we are very excited to go to TH if ever. But we need ur advise at tips kung anu mga gagawin at papaano. I sent you an email. If you can revert back as soon as you can. Also, I left my mobile number.
To all who are dealing with this, if you can share an advise please I need all the advise I can possibly get. Sobrang takot ako pero I’m doing all the research para lumakas loob ko for my partner. Ako ang nagdala sakanya sa ganito at ayokong panghinaan ng loob.
Hi grace how much for the test kit? Robin ilang days ka sa thailand and paano ang procedure? Thanks…
magkano ang hiv kit? saan ang payments nya?
860 po ata hindi ko sure check mo sa site nila…. paypal ginamit ko pero pwede bank depo/credit card/money transfer/lbc/cebuana etc.
Ms grace bakit di na po kayo active?
Grace ung per bottle ilang pcs?
robin napaka baba naman nun -__- bat ganyang kababa ano ginawa mo buti wala ka pang opportunistic infections? anyhow your still lucky kasi atleast anjan ja na pataas na yan once nag atripla ka na. Isang bote i guess is 30 pcs kasi 1 month yan eh. Hopefully ma start mo na yung ARV mo kamusta naman jan?
Hello grace thanks God wala pako opportunistic infections and salamat kc I dont drink and smoke so bka isa un sa reason kahit mababa n cd4 count ko ok pa health ko. hopefully i can start the arv this week. Please pray for me na walang adverse side effects when I start arv treatment.
robin im happy for you ill pray for you and sana ma start mo na agad yung gamot para bumalik na sa normal yung cd4 mo…. update me ha antabayanan ko.
Thanks grace ngstart nko arv nung jan 22 so far so so good wala nmn adverse side effects p at sana wala nga and sana mging ok ung liver test ko after few months of medications.
Hi grace how much for the hiv kit?
hello nagtry n po kong magtest, negative po ang result.. is there any possibilities n baka non reactive lng po kea negative.. just to make sure lang po.. thanks po
jelyn, anong test ginawa mo? miski negative ka para sure make sure na after 3 months na walang sex para sure na sure bago ka mag pa test ulet.
Mababa n tlga cd4 count ko 26 nlng so marmi akong test n ginawa babalik pko next week kung ok lahat ng results ko i can start ung arv n. Ngeye exam pko thanks God wala nmn sa mata ung virus. So ung ibang lab results n lng wait ko
2,000+/bottle ang tanda ko cant remember the exact figure. 7 bottles yung inuuwi ko.
300-500 baht hindi ko na matandaan.
dalawang kit binili ko, balak ko sanang gamitin yung pangalawa after 3 months na window period eh, kaso ang nangyari kasi nag test ako, nag positive mga 5 minutes palang. Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi last contact ko mga 1 month palang naman baka kako mali lang.
nag retest ako positive nanaman. 🙁 mukhang positive nga po talaga sa kasamaang palad wala pa po kasi akong nakitang maling resulta pag fujibio.
kakapanghina pero tatanggapin ko to, panalangin nyo po ako mag papa test po ako sa ospital.
kakalungkot po, pero sadly tama ka… accurate yung fujibio so i handa mo nalang sarili mo in advance, we are going to pray for you laban lang.
anu exposure mo sir?
Mgkanu bayad mo sa consultation fee?
Sa friday ko mkukuha ung results ng cd4 ko
pag nakuha mo yung cd 4 mo sila na bahala…. yun yung important.
Pede po pkishare ung doctor nyo sa thailand. Thanks.
Please reply nmn po please
Uhm nkgpatest ako ng cd4 eh. Kc sabi ko positive nko.
Pede mo ba ishare ung name ng doctor mo? Private hospital or government k b ngpaconsultation?
Sa friday ko mkukuha ung result ng cd4 count kk
robin, government yung subsidized dun mismo sa compound ng red cross. Dr. havanich yung doctor ko yung babae.
Hindi ko kc alm kung anung araw matatapos sya please help me nmn po bukas n ung flight ko eh sasamantalahin ko kc ung holiday eh
robin mga 5 days yan at most. 2-3 days kasi yung cd4 hindi ka pwede mag pa test ng cd4 lang kumpleto yan.
San k pla ngstay n hotel grace? Kelangan b may return ticket n or pedeng oneway muna ung ticket?
one way ka muna first time mo kasi mahirap mag habol. sa friend ako nag stay may friend kasi ako sa bangkok.
sa anong ospital po kau nagpa assist for medication sa bangkok? at wla parin po b yan sa pinay ngayon? its now feb 2018
Grace bukas n ung flight ko eh. Pede bang sabihin n cd4 nlng ipapatest mo?
robin hindi pwede yun…. 1 week ka mag stay jan esp. if first time mo. dont worry mababait tao jan they will guide you.
Hopefully someone senior can reply to my inquiries thank you very much
robin may tip ako sayo…. bumili ka ng kit sa hivtestkit.ph tapos picturan mo yung positive result apparently nag fufund din sila for hiv positive clients tutulungan ka nila just make sure sabihin mo na now mo lang nalaman para i referr ka nila may mga doctors sila sa thailand na directly ma rereferr ka minsan sila pa nag babayad sa lab tests etc etc.
ganyan kasi ginawa ko… sinagot nila yung lab test ko and ni referr nila ko don sa doctor na magaling and mabait. they are very helpful basta sabihin mo now mo lang nalaman sa test kit nila na pos ka.
Mababa n kc ung cd4 count ko ung result nya eh 23 nlng based sa test sa government treatment hub Pero di pko nginitial arv treatment plan ko kc sa thailand ako mgpatreatment since mas advanced daw ung treatment dun.
true pero 23 nalang are you sure? kasi kung 23 deads ka na dapat sa opportunistic infection baka 230 naman.
robin, mag treat ka na para kahit papano tumaas na ang CD4 mo. should be above 400. oo advance nga sa thailand pero mag aantay ka pa ba na 0 nalang yung cd4 mo.. ako nga 400 pa nung nag treat ako eh… 230 siguro yan hindi 23 mali ka lang ng unit or something
Im a bit confused on the frequency of coming back to Thailand
every 6-8 months depende sa dami ng gamot na nakuha mo.
maam can i have your number? i judt want to ask question regarding sa pagpapagamot mu sa thailand
ideally daw kasi yung 3 months according to TRCARC pero sa case ko kasi every 6-8 months since maganda yung cd4 ko so depende… mas frequent pag pangit yung cd4 mo shempre.
maam grace please reply maam . i need your help pob
hello robin Delacruz still working pb bngay mu na email add wanted to ask help for you
Hello, need asap reply for the information provided by trarc when I inquire thru email
My apologies for the delayed response. I was double-checking on a couple matters with colleagues to provide you with the best response. If and when you come to the TRCARC for a CD4 test, you will likely be asked to re-test for HIV to have your results confirmed. When the results are available in two working days, TRCARC will discuss the results with you. You will then need to find a supervising physician, either in Thailand or the Philippines. The TRCARC cannot provide ongoing case management for non-research study clients/patients. In consultation with this physician, you will decide when you would like to start ART. Some physicians may suggest that you start with a placebo trial to help you identify an appropriate time of day to take your medication and to see if you can adhere to a set schedule. This doctor will prescribe the medication, which may be purchased from the TRCARC.
The information on the web link you sent is not entirely correct. Initially, doctors will prescribe antiretroviral medications for 14 days, and will then follow-up to evaluate any adverse effects. Follow-up appointments with the doctor will then usually scheduled once a month or once every two months, in the beginning. Doctor’s supervision will be very important in the beginning months. The appointments may then be scheduled once every 3 or 6 months.
As I mentioned in my earlier message, medications are dispensed in three-month intervals. There may have been a few cases that started their treatment in Thailand but eventually returned to their home countries. Under special circumstances, they may have been able to get a larger supply of medication – but only with verified medical supervision.
We will eventually contact the website, HIV testing in the Philippines, to clarify TRCARC expectations and procedures.
Hello kit or jacob. Kelangan ba dapat may doctor ka dito sa pinas pag ngpatreatment k sa Thailand. nirerequire ba nila un? please reply, thanks
hindi po require yun.. pos din po ako ang im undergoing treatment sa thailand.. i test positive using the kit i bought from hivtestkit.ph medyo d ako naniwala so i ask for second opinion sa medical city, positive talaga… im doing treatment sa thailand without referrals ok naman… 1-2 days lang po ako dun i got my 7 bottles of atripla and my labs are all ok.. my cd4 is 800+ more than normal and im happy.. just drink your meds you will be fine and never miss it!
Grace totoo b n twice a year k lng babalik sa thailand? San k pla hotel ngcheck in?
twice a year lang talaga and each time is about 5 days lang at most kasi it will take 3 days sa lab result so lab results muna unahin mo on day 1 drecho ka kaagad sa red cross for the labs para makauwi ka kaagad.
i have a friend na taga thailand so nakikitira lang ako.
Kelan k pla ngstart ng medication anu ung initial cd4 count mo?
nag start ako ng meds when my CD4 is 400 that was about 3 years ago na yata.
Pede mo ba ko bigyan ng info kc i plan to go sa thailand this coming long holiday. Pg nandun ako ng january 15 mga jan 17 pko mkakauwi with meds?
no robin, 5 days at least kasi 3 days yung lab results tapos yung 2 days gala gala mode. ikaw nasasayo pero pag lapag mo punta ka agad red cross pa lab test ka na muna matagal kasi yung cd4 eh 3 days…
you will get 7 months supply ng atripla hingi ka isnag extra pwede naman..
Maam grace tanong lng po msta na po ung status nyo ngayon?
Hello, mgpupunta po ako ng thailand next week anung airport b malapit dun ska hotel n malapit.
Please reply po ASAP. Kelangan p b mgpaschedule po?
Mr.Robin…
Nung na exposed ka sa hiv ilang buwan ang naklipas
bago ka nagpa hiv blood test? Ano ang symptoms na naranasan mo.thank you.your
reply is very much highly appreciated.
Actually dahil immigration process sa medical ko lng nlman n positive ako sa hiv pero ang symptoms ko eh ung skin lesions sa arms and legs pero nawawala din then may tutubo ulit n bago
Elow robin ung symptons mo katulad ng sa akin sabi ng derma sa akin fungi dw,,kaya may iniinum akung gamot na pang positive sa fungi tapos ung popo ko malambot amoy gamot may posibilidad kaya na positve hiv ako 09367748030 txt nyo ako usap tau
saan po ako makakabili nito
http://www.hivtestkit.ph they accept bank depo/money transfer/paypal nakabili nko sa kanila mabilis delivery and accurate.
hi po miss grace..ask ko lng po kung magkano ung order ng hivtestkit?pra mkpag order me agd kpg nlaman ko ang prize..tnx alot..godbless
Appreciate po your feedback medyo napaparanoid na ko.
hindi po dun nakukuha ang hiv im sure sterile yung test kit and miski hindi hindi po dun nakukuha ang hiv need po ng seminal, blood or vaginal fluid
Hi ask ko lang po I bought kase a testing kit then I tested negative. Then accidentally nasira ko yung cassette then kinuha ko yung test strip, out of curiousity I peel off with my bare hands yung sa may test panel nung strip yung may line indicator kung positive or negative. Tapos my wound yung finger ko caused by the finger prick. Question po is may virus or infectious material po ba yung kit at pwede ako maghiv cause of that?
hi po miss sylvia..ask ko lng po sna kung magkano ang bbyaran kpg nag order ng hivtestkit? pls i really need to know po..tnx..godbless
kakaiba yung pag ka paranoid mo ibang level. Paano ka mahahawa ng HIV? miski nga lunukin mo, kainin mo ipahid mo sa sugat mo yung dugo ng HIV + hindi ka maiinfect. The transfer should be a direct contact. Pag labas ng virus sa katawan ng tao deads agad so paano sila mamamahay sa test kit?
Hi ma’am.
Sorry subra na po ako nag alala
Kasi may rashes ako Malala po tadtad sa katawan ko
Kasu Wala Naman po ako sintomas
Merun cough pala ung lang sikip huminga
Subra na ako na paranoid subrang isip po
I am 25 years old from bikol po
Please Sana matulongan nyo po ako 😭😭😭😭
Ito po contact number ko 09664295448
Maraming salamat po😭😭😭
I had unprotected sex with my bf last July 12,2014
then i went to a hospital on December 09,2014
and had my blood tested for HIV..The result was NON-
REACTIVE..
Kailan po ba dapat magpa test..Kung na exposed po ako ng July
tpos nagpa hiv testing ako ng Dec..sapat na po ba yung time para maging accurate
o reliable yung result? thank you so much.
michelle depende po ano yung test na ginamit… kung ako sayo ill get a 2nd opinion para sure.
Test for HIV 1 and HIV 2..
0k, Kit Samaniego thank you so much..This week magpapa test ako
ako uli to be sure..any advise kung ano ang dapat test na gawin..tnx so much.
Hi ask ko lang where ka nagpatest? And safe ba i mean hindi pagpepyestahan pag nagpatest ka?
Any advise kung ano yung dapat test na gamitin.
Tnx Mr. Samaniego..
Reply asap
immunochromatography yung test na ginamit.do you think
this is enough and reliable ?
tnx
yung hiv test kit negative ka diba? so negative ka na accurate yun pag negative pero para kumalma ka…. pa ELISA ka or p24 antigen
Grace ** i was confined in the hospital last week
of December 2014 because of severe fatigue..But
later it was found out that i have anemia.. The dr.
also ordered blood test for ” antinuclear antibody ”
test..the method used was “florou enzyme immunoassay”
.Yun din ba yung ELISA na sinasabi mo?
thank you.
mag pa test ka ulit… kasi may window period ang testing from exposure specially with unprotected sex. first 3 months… dapat nung oct. then another 3 mos.. dapat jan.. pero since sabi mo e dec ka nagpa test. pwede na yan. but too make sure magpa test ka ulit libre naman ang testing rh
I bought the kit and try it @ home… Then, the result po ay negative. Kailangan pa ba na magpatest sa hospital kung 99.9% naman accurate ang test.
hindi na po accurate po sha pag negative ka 100%, pag positive ka 99.9% ang accuracy nya kasi mga false positive results.
ang pagkalagas ng buhok kasama ba iyon sa sintomas ng hiv
no… dont stress yourself my friend.. if you think that you have been exposed.. go getyourself tested. it will ease the burden of thinking… be safe of course.. educate your self abt hiv. madaming web wite to learn abt the effect
may gamot na ba ang hiv
gamot to cure the virus wala…. but too prolong your life if your + yes. and its for free
pg ng pa test ka ba ng cbc,madetect dun na may blood infection ka?or sign na may hiv ka?un kc pending ng anak ko sa medical.tnx
hindi po ma dedetect ng cbc ang hiv.
Pwede po ba malaman kung available po ito sa mga botika?
Hi! Gusto KO lang magtanung Hindi po kami mayaman at gusto KO lang matulungan u bayaw KO na baka sakali HIV possitive, wala po bang ibang paraan para makabili ng gamot sa Thailand na Hindi na kailngan pumunta po doon.
Pwede po sila pumunta ng RITM sa may muntinlupa. Libre lang po doon pero shempre may mga gastos din. Dapat po may Philhealth sha. Pero kung may budget po sa thailand po talaga dapat mas ok po talaga don tama yung sinabi nung author.
pede po ba paiwan ng contact number mo….patulong naman sa muntinlupa…di ko maibigay number ko kasi d2
Mayroon po kaming pinapainum na health products sa mga may cancer, diabetes, sa mga nagda-dialisis, sa mga nagkaron po ng mild heart attack at kung ano-ano pang karamdaman. Try nyo po painumin ng RESERVE. Ito po ay isang uri ng stem cell technology. One month na gamutan ay nagkakahalaga ng P7,500. Baka po gumaling din ang mga HIV/AIDS patients.
tx nyo lang po ako for more details. 09216252682
wag na po tayong mag lokohan.. hindi gagaling ang pasyente na may HIV jan sa kung ano mang treatment na sinasabi nyo. Hindi po ba kayo naawa may sakit na nga pinagkakakitaan nyo pa.
tama… no treatment is yet discovered to cure the virus… why waste money. libre ang gamot dito sa atin. what ever the effects just bare with it… as long mapahaba ang buhay ng tao give it a chance rather not doing anything at all
Gud day sir/ma’am c Erwin po eto
Ask ko lng if sn po pwede magptest at Saan saan ang mga lugar pwede magptest
sa ritm sa may leon ginto sa manila. klinika bernardo sa likod ng ramon magsaysay high sch sa tapat nepa q mart. SAGIP center of PGH.
ginamit ko po yung fujibio hiv kit, ito po kasi yung ni recommend sakin ng doktor ko na kakilala dahil accurate daw po, ang concern ko lang napadami po ata blood ko. accurate parin po ba to? positive po kasi kaso baka blood marks lang po yun?
ano po sa tingin ninyo?
positive result po yan, obvious po yung line sa letter T which means result is positive. I am sorry.
tapos na confirmatory ko mga chong, positive talaga. lalaban ako may gamot naman kaya ko to…
Pretty much the truth about HIV testing here in PH. Its better to get it elsewhere. I tested positive 3 years ago and I am being treated in Thailand and its a world a far compared to the poor healthcare here in our country.
Hello,
Im waiting for my confirmatory testing. How and who to contact about the treatment in Thailand. Is the treatment is for long term?
you have to there yourself their website is http://www.trcarc.org kindly ask them for scheduling first. Its a very large clinic and everyone is accommodating. You only need to go twice a year and treatment is lifetime ofcourse, you have to drink 1 capsule everyday.
Panu if you are taking na sa phils? Pede ba mgswitch sa gamot ng thailand? Ung friend ko kc willing din sa thailand.
Also, sana u can recommend affordable hotel dun n pgstayan and usually ilang araw ang need ipabook anytime soon kc lalabas ang confirmatory ko eh and I know there is a big chance na Positive ako. So I plan to go there this december 16-19, 2014
Hello jacob, mas less ba ung side effects nung gamot na ipreprescribe nila? Please I need information asap.
Gusto ko kc itry ung sa thailand mas mabilis bang mgincrease ng cd4 count ung gamot nila. Please reply asap.
Hello can you give some information about treatment in thailand
robin, ok naman sa thailand bali pupunta ka lang naman dun and madali.. super dali kasi aassist ka na nila so just bring yourself and better if may kakilala ka para hindi ka na mag hohotel.
Hello Kit, mas less ba ung side effects nung gamot na ipreprescribe nila? Please I need information asap.
Gusto ko kc itry ung sa thailand mas mabilis bang mgincrease ng cd4 count ung gamot nila. Please reply asap.
Thank you for this information, you helped me a lot!
is it true that San Lazaro does not have stocks of the HIV drug?