VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10 • OCTOBER 2015
Refreshing Your Health
HIV IS TREATABLE! • Strategies for controlling HIV • HIV testing options in the Philippines • HIV testing Q&A • Where can I get ARV treatment for
HIV infection?
HIV is treatable! THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS CAN INDEED BE DEADLY, BUT IT CAN NOW BE TREATED—AND ITS’S FREE!
In the 1980s, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as like a death
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sentence that inevitably led to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)—a syndrome where people living with HIV (PLHIV) developed a number of infections and cancers as a result of the body’s inability to suppress them (low immunity).
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VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10 • OCTOBER 2015
ankind has gone a long way in the battle against HIV. Now, there are a number of ways to control an HIV outbreak. These methods include prevention of infection through protected sex, regular testing, and even treatment with antiretroviral
drugs (ARVs). ARV treatment does not completely eliminate the virus, but it does suppress the virus to a level so low that it reduces the harm caused by the virus to the body. It also lowers the chances that a PLHIV could transmit the virus to other people. Here are some important things you should know about HIV control and ARV treatment.
Strategies for controlling HIV
HIV testing Q&A How should I prepare for testing? No preparations are needed. You also do not need to fast before the test.
What are the office hours of testing hubs? Most testing hubs and social hygiene clinics are open from 8 am to 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.
What does a non-reactive HIV screening result mean?
HIV prevention • PROTECTED SEX (CONDOM USE)
This most likely means that you were HIVnegative 3 to 6 months ago. The body takes 3 to 6 months to become positive for HIV. This means that if you got infected within this period, your test will still read as “non-reactive” or negative. If you had any risky exposure (e.g. unprotected sex) within the past 3 to 6 months, you may need to have yourself tested again.
MONOGAMOUS SEX
HIV testing • AVAILABLE IN MANY LABORATORIES • FREE IN DOH TESTING CENTERS
HIV treatment
What if I get a reactive (positive) result during HIV screening?
• ANTIRETROVIRALS (ARV)
HIV testing options in the Philippines If you have some risk factor for getting HIV infection, such as unprotected sex or injecting drug use, have yourself tested for HIV. Here are some ways to get tested. 1. Government hospitals Selected hospitals have the capacity to test for HIV, at a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, there are some instances when the staff in these facilities can be less than considerate or sensitive when discussing the test and its implications. For a complete list, visit www.webbline.com/hiv-testing-centers. 2. Social hygiene clinics These are specialized clinics that cater to the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. The staff are specifically trained to handle the sensitive nature of these illnesses. Plus, testing is also affordable. However, there may still be lines, so there may still be an issue on privacy. For a complete list, visit www.webbline.com/hiv-testing-centers.
3. Private hospitals and laboratories Many private hospitals and laboratories have the capacity to test for HIV. They also ensure privacy and offer one-to-one pre-testing and post-testing counselling. However, tests can come at a cost of over 1,000 pesos. Home HIV testing are also available, but I would not recommend this because it lacks one important aspect of HIV testing, which is the pre-test/post-test counselling. During counselling, your risk level will be assessed, and the implications of the test results, whether positive or negative, will be explained. Ways to reduce risk will be given, as well as treatment options should your HIV status be confirmed.
Your blood sample will be sent to the STDAIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory in San Lazaro Hospital. It will be retested to confirm if you have HIV or not. If the confirmatory test is negative, you do not have HIV infection. If the confirmatory test comes out positive, you will be referred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa. There, you will be advised on your next steps that would lead to your treatment.
If I tested positive for HIV, do I need to take ARV drugs right away? ARVs are given only if your CD4 counts are lower than 350. CD4 are special white blood cells that get attacked by HIV. Only those with low CD4 counts (<350) need ARV treatment.
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VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10 • OCTOBER 2015
Things you should know about ARV therapy Must-know #1. ARV therapy is a
Must-know #2. Expect side ef-
Must-know #3. Stick to your treat-
cocktail of three drugs, usually. Treat-
fects. These include nausea, diarrhea,
ment. Lifetime treatment is advised un-
ment requires the use of three antiviral
or headache. These side effects tend
less your physician advises you that it is
drugs to be able to suppress the virus.
to disappear after a few weeks. Other
safe to stop treatment. Continued treat-
This intensive treatment is also required
side effects such as nerve damage are
ment prevents the virus from making a
to prevent the virus from getting resistant
rare but may worsen over time. Always
comeback. It also prevents the develop-
to treatment.
report any side effects to your physician,
ment of resistance to treatment.
who can help you cope with these.
Where can I get ARV treatment for HIV infection? Here is a list of DOH HIV treatment hubs: Metro Manila Quezon City Klinika Bernardo Marikina City Health Office Manila Social Hygiene Clinic Philippine General Hospital San Lazaro Hospital Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Makati Medical Center The Medical City Luzon Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center Cagayan Valley Medical Center Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (Pampanga)
James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (Olongapo) Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital Visayas Cebu City Social Hygiene Clinic Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (Cebu) Western Visayas Medical Center (Iloilo City) Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokan Memorial Hospital (Aklan) Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (Negros Occidental) Ospital ng Palawan
Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center (Bohol) Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (Tacloban) Mindanao Southern Philippines Medical Center (Davao City) Northern Mindanao Medical Center (Cagayan de Oro) Zamboanga City Medical Center Butuan Medical Center Caraga Regional Hospital (Surigao City) General Santos District Hospital
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A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD