Dear Readers,I am SOOOOO happy and thrilled to finally announce this on the blog.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to clear your mind once and for all, if you think you might have HIV.
I am a very happy person, and I've had it for a long time now.
Having HIV changed my life....yes...but for the better.
I took advantage of my life like most do, before I realized how very precious it is.
I took it for granted. But no more, that's for sure.
My life makes sense now where as before it did not.
I embrace my virus and I'm very proud to be so healthy within my mind body and spirit.
I would rather have HIV than herpes or any other disease.
Its not a party, but it ain't no funeral either. Trust me.
People with any sort of disease should feel a sense of community with HIV carriers.
We are all the same. Just a little different than the rest.
And I for one... LOVE being different.
That's why I celebrate my HIV every single day.
What's the alternative?
There is none.
The international HIV community is VERY powerful and they are there for you when you need it.
Trust me readers, I love my virus like a trusted friend.
It may seem strange for you to hear that. But its true.
So please don't be afraid of finding out you have HIV.
I will always be here for you if you want to talk.
I already help and assist many Filipinos who have HIV.
And I will help you too.
Love Brian....... and I mean LOVE.
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What: FREE HIV Test using Rapid Test
(NOTE: reading of results take 10 minutes after actual blood sample extraction, procedure is the same as blood sugar monitoring for Diabetic clients)
Who: Everyone is welcome for Testing, underage/minor must secure parental consent according to R.A. 8504 or must comply with the requirements of the law for testing
When: July 22, 2008 and onwards until supply last
do I look like I'm dying? HIV+8 years
What: FREE HIV Test using Rapid Test
(NOTE: reading of results take 10 minutes after actual blood sample extraction, procedure is the same as blood sugar monitoring for Diabetic clients)
Who: Everyone is welcome for Testing, underage/minor must secure parental consent according to R.A. 8504 or must comply with the requirements of the law for testing
When: July 22, 2008 and onwards until supply last
do I look like I'm dying? HIV+8 years
Total Targets: 15,000 Clients based on the 15,000 HIV Test KITS available
Where: Social Hygiene Clinic - Manila Health Department, 2nd Floor of 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila
(green building across the main gate of San Lazaro Hospital, between LRT Bambang and LRT Tayuman Station)
GROUP TESTING: Group Testing is possible by making arrangements with Ms. Malou Tan for venue and date. However, venue should be within the City of Manila.
Contact Details: For inquiries, call 711-6942 and look for Dra. Diana Mendoza or Ms. Malou Tan, Monday to Friday only from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Dear Readers,
Do NOT be afraid of being tested. The only fear you should have is NOT being tested. Some studies indicate that 30-40% of HIV carriers... DO NOT KNOW they have it. SO please go get tested. IT FREE!
As part of my work, I have been researching about HIV and AIDS over the Internet. And while I was looking through different materials, it suddenly sparked into me: “Why do Filipinos know so little about HIV?”
It turns out, no one’s talking about it anymore, mainly because of the stigma it brings in a “very religious country. Although there are Pinoys who got past the “you can get AIDS from mosquito bites and public toilets” myth, there are still many, many, misconceptions about the disease.
Here are the usual Filipino myths about HIV and AIDS, which I hope would help a lot of my readers.
* The Philippines has few cases of HIV and AIDS because we are a prayerful nation - Although there have been about 3,000 combined cases of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines since 1984 and only 197 reported cases in 2007 (which is less than 0.1% of the total population), these statistics cannot deny the fact that the country has all the elements of a potential upsurge of HIV population: lack of condom use especially among sex workers, government’s “ban” on condoms, multiple sexual partners especially in urban areas, an active sexual lifestyle especially among adolescents and young adults, among others. In fact, health experts say that the country’s HIV and AIDS situation can be “hidden and growing”. Also note that a lot of Filipinos refuse to get an HIV test, unless required (for immigration, for instance).
* There are no signs of HIV infection - Most people with HIV had no way of knowing that they have been infected. However, there are some patients who experience what is called “Acute HIV Infection”. This happens when the patient’s “seroconversion”, when the HIV- antibody turns into HIV+. It is also during this time when the body’s immune system suddenly dips and becomes susceptible to various infections. Symptoms differ from person to person, but it could be any of the following:
* High fever
* Influenza
* Swollen lymph nodes
* Night sweats (profuse perspiration especially during sleep)
* Fatigue
* Diarrhea
* Profound weight loss
* Dry cough
* Skin rashes
* Skin lesions
* Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation on the hands, feet, or face
* Changes in level of consciousness
Bear in mind that checking the symptoms yourself is not enough to know whether or not you are HIV+. You need to get tested.
* Oral sex is the safest sex - Any mode of unprotected sex, including oral sex, have its risk of HIV infection. Just like in vaginal and anal sex, the virus can be transmitted through oral sex as well especially if the mouth has open sores and bleeding gums. Even brushing your teeth causes “abrasions” in your gums that are invisible to the naked eye, which can let the virus through.
* You can get HIV by sharing food and utensils with an HIV+ person - The virus dies when it’s exposed to air, and also has low concentrations in the saliva. In simpler terms: No.
* You can get HIV by kissing an HIV+ person - Kissing a person with HIV on the cheek would not make you infected. Meanwhile, if you are French kissing an HIV+ patient, you need to swallow several gallons of saliva to get you infected. However, you do need to make sure that your mouth is free from open sores and bleeding gums before having that deep kiss.
* HIV can mark the end of one’s life - Having HIV today does not mean you are going to die tomorrow. The disease may be incurable for now, but it is treatable to at least delay the onset of AIDS. And although there have been very rare cases of HIV+ patients who were able to “shake off” the virus, we could only hope and pray that a cure for HIV would be discovered.
Ang bakla ng masang kabaklaan.
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ATTENTION READERS
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This was received only SECONDS ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im at the internetcafe near the free clinic waiting for my Rapid test reults and I have extra good news! They are also giving out free TPHA test..don't ask me what it is -its another HIV test but the result will take 10 working days..so you get not 1 but 2 HIV test..The doctors are accomodating and they also give you counseling.
Lets help fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in our country..lets spread awareness..tell all your friends about it..it about time we all get tested!
by the way, they will give you a code name so they won't have to broadcast your real name
