Author Topic: where can i get tested? (Read 5493 times)

iaminneedtoo · « **on:** December 07, 2008, 09:36:10 pm »

I just want to know if where I can get tested for HIV here in the Philippines? preferably Rizal or NCR. And if they can have it for free its much better. But do they sell a home kit here and how much do you think it is?

Well, i am a little worried even if i haven't experienced any signs or symptoms becoz I know that I am a high risk since im always having an unprotected sex with ex bf's and the last time was like a year ago and until now I havent had sex with anyone so i abstained from sex for a year already. Im always getting my checkups for std's and its negative but i havent had a test for hIv so when all this news are coming out I got curious and wants to know my condition. Do u think if I will test today which is a year ago after the last time that i had an unprotected sex, the results will still be accurate?

Reading all the threads here is an eye opener for me. And now I just want to get tested but I dont have too much money for it so I am really asking your help if you can help me find a way to have myself tested? Thank you. Any help will be very much appreciated.

Ann · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2008, 06:50:43 am »

You can find where to test in the Philippines by searching the database at:

http://www.aidsmap.com/cms1038779.asp

And stop having unprotected intercourse.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Ann

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:25:43 am »

Thanks. Do you think even if its a year ago and so. The results will still be accurate? I dont feel any sypmtoms of having HIV but it is my anxiety and guilt thats killing me now. The risk that I have is I had an unprotected vaginal sex. What is the ratio of that case?

Ann · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:31:13 am »

iam,

The window period for hiv testing is three months. A test done at or after three months past your last incident of unprotected intercourse will be accurate.

Symptoms or even the LACK of symptoms will never tell you anything about your hiv status. Many people have no symptoms for years. ONLY testing will reveal your hiv status.

As for "ratios" on risks, we don't bother with those types of numbers here. The bottom line is that as a woman, and therefor the receptive partner, you've been at high risk. Get that test done.

Ann

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:57:58 am »

ok, i understand. I will have myself tested as soon as I can. I want to get out of this anxiety its been bothering me for days now since I saw the documentaries on tv. I was always worrying of std and never realized that its possible to have hiv from unprotected sex too. I feel so alone and depressed. I tried to talk to my mom about it since she knows that i had an unprotectectd with my ex bf shes supporting me but my worry is my dad as he is so conservative. But my health is important for me i know this is a very scary thing to undergo to and right now i just want to have a peace of mind.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2008, 10:23:21 am »

It's understandable that you're anxious. Hopefully you will get an all-clear when you test, but either way the best thing is for you to know your actual status.

And as Ann has told you, you need to make sure that anyone you are having intercourse with is always, without exceptions, wearing a condom. Condoms do the job very effectively and then it doesn't matter whether the person is HIV+ or not.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

Cheers.

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2008, 10:27:48 am »

I just did my test today at the hospital and they said that i will get the results on Wednesday. That's christmas day so I hope i will get a good news. If not, I will accept it.

Anyways, I have another question for you.

I forgot to mention that this december 2008, i had a rash all over my body (urticaria) and it happened 30 mins after I aet seafoods and spicy foods. so i went to the er and told me that it is just a food allergy reaction and gave me a shot of benadryl. The rashes lasted for 2 days and on the third day my skin was all back to normal. And after my allergy I had tiny hard lymph node behind my right ear. And its been 2-3 weeks now(if im not mistaken) that it is still there. It doesnt hurt now but i just noticed it after i had my allergy and I am sure that it just came when i had my allergies and always checking it since then.

Im just concerned if this might be a symptom of HIV since my last unprotected vaginal intercourse with an unknown status was like a year and a half. Is it still possible or are there any case wherein they experience symptoms after a year. I never had any flu or cough or sore throat or oral thrush etc. except from colds which always last for days and I only had that like twice after my contact and the last time i had the colds was due to winter when i had my vacation outside the country.

Pls. I just want to have a clear mind right now. I feel so scared since i had my test today.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2008, 10:37:12 am »

Nothing you are reporting symptomatically is in anyway HIV-specific. Leave your lymph nodes alone. By handling them you can create a problem where there really isn't one. Discuss it with your doctor but keep your hands off of them.

You have a few days to wait for your result. Get productively busy with other things and you will be amazed at how much more easily and quickly the time will pass. And don't bother saying you're too worried to do that. That response won't fly here.

Good luck with your test result. You've done the smart thing by getting tested.

Cheers.

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2008, 10:52:05 am »

Thank you so much Andy. This forum is really a big help for me.

I will still enjoy the holidays and try not to think much of it. I am preparing myself whatever the result will be.

I will update you again about my result on Wednesday.

Thank you so much. Happy Holidays!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2008, 12:55:01 pm »

...and just as a caution regarding getting your result from the lab. I don't know if they will be on time because of the holiday. So if they run late with your result, don't fall into the stinkin' thinkin' that misinterprets that as meaning the news is bad. Labs run on their own time. Hopefully you'll get your result on time and it will be negative.

Cheers.

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2008, 10:10:41 pm »

I just called the hospital who did my test. They said its done already but still waiting for it to be signed which is fast after waiting for a day but they said they cant rely the results on the phone. I need to call again at 12pm to know the exact time that I can get it. Should i be worried now? or is it usually like that they need to sign it first whether it is + or -?

Im shaking right now, i feel so nervous.

Ann · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2008, 10:24:17 pm »

Iam,

No, there's no reason for you to feel nervous or worried.

Ann

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2008, 10:35:09 pm »

Thank you Ann. I just feel so restless right now. I know I said that I will accept whatever the result will be but right now I just feel so down.

I will let you know once I got my result this afternoon.

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2008, 07:15:02 am »

i just got my results. They tested twice and both says:

HIV Ag-Ab Screening (EIA) = NONREACTIVE

Patient Count: 0.073
Cut off Value: 0.178

So does this mean that I am really negative. Am so happy seeing the nonreactive word on the two papers. This is a great Christmas gift for me and also a wake up call to do the correct thing from now on.

Ann · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2008, 09:06:34 am »

iam,

Yes, you are hiv negative.

And please do use condoms from now on.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will continue to avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann

iaminneedtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2008, 12:05:04 pm »

Thank u so much Ann and Andy for helping me alot and for listening to me.

happy holidays!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2008, 06:23:21 pm »

You're welcome. Glad you found our exchanges to be helpful. And happy holidays to you as well.

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Author Topic: where can i get tested? (Read 5493 times)