THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST

Recently I got a phone call and text from a client who had undergone HIV Antibody Testing in a private  laboratory, payed 1,000 Pesos for the test, got a REACTIVE Test Result but was not given Pre & Post-Test Counseling, Blood Serum was not forwarded to SACCL for Confirmatory Test / Western Blot, and NO referral to Treatment Hub. I tried to ask for the name of this Laboratory and verified it with the Regulatory, Licensing, and Enforcement Division of the Department of Health and found out that this facility doesn't have a Trained HIV Proficient Medical Technologist and doesn't have a license to perform HIV Antibody Testing.

I want this to be given attention because there is a law violated by this facility.

As per Republic Act 8504 (The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998) 

ARTICLE III : Testing, Screening and Counselling, states the following:

SEC. 19. Accreditation of HIV Testing Centers

All testing centers, hospitals, clinics, and laboratories offering HIV testing services are mandated to seek accreditation from the Department of Health which shall set and maintain reasonable accreditation standards.
 

SEC. 20. Pre-test and Post-test Counselling

All testing centers, clinics, or laboratories which perform any HIV test shall be required to provide
and conduct free pre-test counselling and post-test counselling for persons who avail of their HIV/AIDS testing services. However, such counselling services must be provided only by persons who meet the standards set by the DOH.
 

Along with that is a corresponding penalty stated in:

ARTICLE VII: Discriminatory Acts and Policies

SEC. 42. Penalties for Discriminatory Acts and Policies

All discriminatory acts and policies referred to this Act shall be punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) months to four (4) years and a fine not exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). In addition, licenses/permits of schools, hospitals and other institutions found guilty for committing discriminatory acts and policies described in this Act shall be revoked.

SO HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF THIS TESTING FACILITY IS LICENSED TO DO THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST?

1. First and foremost look for the CERTIFICATE OF HIV PROFICIENCY. It is usually hanged within the facility or if not verify with the facility if they have the certification. It looks like this.

2. Prior to Testing, the Facility should Provide Pre-Test Counseling.
    
     “Pre-Test Counselling” 
> a process that prepares the client for the HIV Antibody test.
> is conducted by a Trained HIV Counselor
> explains the implications of knowing that one is or is not infected with HIV.
> facilitates discussion about ways to cope with knowing one's HIV status
> enables an individual to practice strategy to reduce future risk behaviors.
> enables a client to make informed decision about being tested for HIV infection.   

*Client still has the right to refuse HIV Testing within the Pre-Testing Counseling Process. 

 3. Once Pre-Test Counseling is done you would need to fill-up the form below.

*Everyone is encouraged to provide the correct information on this form, such information is vital and could help stop the spread of HIV infection. Rest assured that all personal information given will be confidential and will not be shared to anyone.

4. After filling-up the form you will be directed to the laboratory for the blood extraction. The amount of blood extracted would be around 4-5ml. Blood Extraction should be done by the HIV Proficient Medical Technologist.

5. The turn-around time for Test result would usually be 2-3 weeks up to a month, the reason why it takes a long time for the result to be available is once the Initial HIV Screening turns Reactive (possible presence of HIV Antibodies) the facility sends the blood serum to the STI/AIDS Central Cooperative Laboratory (SACCL) of San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) since it is the only Laboratory who does the Western Blot/Confirmatory Test for HIV.

6. Once the result is available the facility will contact you informing you that your result is ready to be picked-up. Releasing of the result is accompanied by Post-Test Counseling.
 
     “Post-Test Counselling” 
> provided together with the release of the test result
> Counselors providing POST-TEST COUNSELING stress out the importance of the following:
     > NEGATIVE RESULT: Empasize Prvention Strategies

     > POSITIVE RESULT: Proper Referral to Treatment, Care, Support 

                                               (Treatment Hubs & Support Groups)

*Test Results are should be sealed and it's the client who will be the first person to open and see the result. The client does have the option weather or not he would share it to his/her counselor. 


FOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 09278230300.

For a complete list of TREATMENT HUBS please click the link below:
 TREATMENT HUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES


Be safe guys +)

VCT vs BLOOD DONATION

  

VOLUNTARY COUNSELING and TESTING for HIV

VERSUS

 BLOOD DONATION

I heard a lot of stories of people who donate blood for the purpose of knowing their HIV Status. Well on my opinion they are doing it the wrong way. In this topic I will discuss about Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV vs. Blood Donation

Rapid HIV Test Kit

VOLUNTARY COUNSELING and TESTING  for HIV

            is a procedure done to a person who voluntary submits himself/herself to be screened for HIV. This Procedure is done by a trained VCT Counselor who does the Pre- and Post-Test Counseling. Counseling before and after an HIV test is important because it provides critical information about HIV itself and about the testing process. While counseling services may not be available in all health care settings, many testing sites do offer these services. If you would like access to pre-test and post-test counseling, be sure to inquire about the availability of these services at your chosen test site. If they do not have them readily available, the staff may be able to direct you to alternate service providers who do.

Pre-test counseling sessions generally include the following:

• Information about the HIV test—what it tests for, what it might NOT tell you, and how long it will take you to get your results
• Information about how HIV is transmitted and how you can protect yourself from infection
• Information about the confidentiality of your test results
• A clear, easy-to-understand explanation of what your test results mean

After Pre-Test Counseling the HIV Counselor will direct you to a HIV Proficient Medical Technologist and he/she will extract blood for it to be screened for HIV.

Anonymous HIV testing is a procedure whereby the identity of the individual being tested is protected or not known. Two methods of anonymous HIV testing are the unlinked anonymous and the voluntary anonymous.

Any person who submits to anonymous HIV testing shall not be required to provide a name, age, address or any other information that may potentially identify the same. In the case of voluntary anonymous HIV testing an identifying symbol is substituted for the person’s true name or identity. The symbol enables the laboratory doing the test and the test person to match the test result with the said symbol.

Once the results are available, you will usually be given the results in private and in person. (THE CLIENT SHOULD BE THE FIRST ONE TO SEE WHAT THE RESULT IS AND IF HE/SHE WANTS TO VERIFY IT THEN HE/SHE COULD HAND IT OVER TO THE COUNSELOR FOR THEM TO INTERPRET THE RESULT.)

Post-test counseling generally includes:

• Clear communication about what your test result means
• HIV prevention counseling, if your results are negative
• A confirmatory test, called a Western blot test, if your results are positive. The results of that test should be available within 2-3 weeks.
• Proper referral to Treatment Hub to access mostly FREE SERVICES

 
 

 VCT FLOW (if specimen is POSITIVE)

TESTING ALGORHYTHM

   

BLOOD DONATION

            occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions.

STEPS ON BLOOD DONATION

• Have your weight taken.
• Register and honestly and complete the donor registration form.
• Have your blood type and hemoglobin checked.
• A physician will conduct a blood donor examination.
• Actual donation--the amount of blood to be donated (either 350cc or 450cc) will depend on the donor's weight and blood pressure. It usually takes 10 minutes or less.
• A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid-intake are necessary after donation.

In the screening process, you have to fill out a blood donation questionnaire form that includes direct questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of blood-borne infections—infections that are transmitted through the blood. These behaviors include prostitution, intravenous drug use and others. Each unit of blood collected will be examined for 5 transfusion-transmissible infectious diseases, namely: HIV, Malaria, Syphillis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C before it is transfused to patients. A trained physician will be asking you about your medical/ health history, and a physical examination will be conducted—which includes checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. All of the information from this evaluation is kept strictly confidential.

During your blood donation screening procedure, a small sample of blood taken from a finger prick is used to check your hemoglobin level, the oxygen-carrying component of your blood. If your hemoglobin concentration is normal, and you've met all the other screening requirements, you can donate blood.

Donated Blood that tests positive for HIV is sent to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for it to be recorded and then DISPOSED RIGHT AWAY WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE CLIENT.

As a Summary Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), the CLIENT is screened for HIV while in Blood Donation the BLOOD is the one screened for Sexually Transmissible Infection including HIV.

Implications for getting screened for HIV through BLOOD DONATION is that you won't be informed of your Status and so it's still possible that you will do the same risky behavior and probably would be able to transmit it to other people unknowingly. Also the Blood that you donated if it would reveal a FALSE NEGATIVE result because of the WINDOW PERIOD would also be a danger to the recipient (Good thing that screening for blood nowadays have been very updated , they use the ANTIGEN TEST wherein as early as 3weeks would already detect HIV). And with you being unaware of your HIV Status would result to serious complications in the future and could even lead to DEATH.

A WORD OF ADVISE: 

KNOW YOUR STATUS ( HIV + or HIV - ? )
BE RESPONSIBLE ( Abstinence, Be Faithful to Uninfected partner, Correct and Consistent Condom Use, Don't Share Used Needles/Syringes)

GET TESTED ( If you have doubts about your HIV Status, it's better to submit yourself for VCT  in about 3months from your last risky behavior, NEVER DONATE BLOOD for the purpose of knowing your HIV Status )

KNOW THE FACTS ( Education & Early Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infection )

 

Sources:

http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/hiv-testing/pre-post-test-counseling/

http://www.redcross.org.ph/blooddonationfaqs

 
Jake Positive. BE SAFE! +)

DEPRESSION and HIV

 

Source: http://www.poz.com/index_focus.shtml

 

 

JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)

HIV and AIDS Treatment Care and Support in The Philippines

                                

Upon diagnosis of a person as HIV + he/she needs to prioritize and secure these important things to ensure that he/she is able to access proper treatment and support.

1. Secure copy of your Confirmatory/Western Blot Test and present it to a Doctor preferably an Infectious Disease Doctor. He is the right Doctor that could help you and plan out your treatment. If you don't know any then ask for someone in a healthcare facility that you trust that could direct you to one.

2. Secure and Pay your PhilHealth membership. A Person Living with HIV here in the Philippines is entitled access of the OHAT (Outpatient HIV and AIDS Treatment) Package given by PhilHealth all you need to do is to pay your PhilHealth membership fees on time.

     In support of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goal Number 6 to halt or
     reverse the incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune
     Deficiency Virus (AIDS) by 2015, PhilHealth through Board Resolution No. 1331, series of
     2009 has approved die implementation of an outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment package. This
     benefit aims to increase the proportion of the population having access to effective
     HIV/AIDS treatment and patient education measures.

     A.General Rules

          1.The Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package will be paid through a case
          payment scheme. Annual reimbursement is set at 30,000 pesos per year.

          2.Only confirmed HIV/AIDS cases requiring treatment shall be covered by the package.

          3.Package shall be based on Department of Health (DOH) guidelines on anti-retro viral therapy 

          among adults and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infection. All
          treatment hubs in accredited facilities are required to follow the guidelines set by the DOH.

     B.Specific Rules

          1.Covered items under this benefit are drugs and medicines, laboratory examinations including Cluster 

          Difference 4 (CD4) level determination test and test for monitoring of anti-retro viral drugs (ARA7) 

          toxicity and professional fees of providers

          2.The package will be released in four (4) quarterly payments; each sub-package is worth 7,500 

          pesos payable to the recognized treatment hub of accredited facilities. A maximum of four (4) 

          treatment sub-packages per year may be claimed by the treatment hub.

          3.Each quarterly claim is covered by the rule on single period of confinement computed from die date 

          of consultation. Any additional claims filed within this same period for the same reason will be denied.

          4.Only die actual quarters wherein services were provided in a year will be reimbursed.

         5.Each quarterly claim shall be charged one (1) day against the 45-day annual limit or a sum of 4 days 

         per year.

         6.In cases of transfer from one treatment hub to another, PhilHealth will still reimburse provided:

               a.The facility that the patient was transferred to is also PhilHealth accredited.

               b.A referral letter from the referring facility to the receiving facility is accomplished.

               c. The Corporation will reimburse the facility prior to the transfer .

3. Baseline tests such as CD4, Viral Load, Blood Chemistry and other tests requested by the doctor are the most crucial tests of all because this will be recorded and will be a basis to your future tests result in order to know the disease progression.

          CD4 (Cluster Difference 4)

          Usually, the CD4 test is used to determine when a person should start treatment.

         

          HIV attacks a type of immune system cell called the T-helper cell. The T-helper cell plays an essential 

          part in the immune system by helping to co-ordinate all the other cells to fight illnesses. HIV damages 

          and destroys T-helper cells; as a result, there are fewer cells available to help the immune system. A 

          major reduction in the number of T-helper cells can have a serious effect on the immune system.

         A CD4 test measures the number of T-helper cells (in a cubic millimetre of blood) which is known as 

         a CD4 count. Someone who is not infected with HIV normally has between 500 and 1200cells/mm³.  

         In a person infected with HIV, the CD4 count often declines over a number of years. HIV drug 

         treatment is generally recommended when the CD4 test shows fewer than 350 cells/mm³. World 

         Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines recommend starting treatment for all patients with CD4 

         counts of less than 350 cells/mm³ in all countries. Although most resource-limited countries aim to 

         follow these guidelines, a number still observe the WHO's 2006 guidelines, which recommend starting 

         treatment at less than 200 cells/mm³. 

        Some countries may have treatment guidelines which differ from WHO recommendations. 

        For example, although USA treatment guidelines state that treatment should be initiated in all patients 

        with a CD4 count less than 350 cells/mm³ they also recommend treatment for patients with a CD4

        count between 350 and 500 cells/mm³.

        If there are complications, such as if the patient has hepatitis B, an AIDS-defining illness or is pregnant, 

        guidelines usually recommend that treatment is started earlier.

        VIRAL LOAD (VL)

        Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in the blood. If the viral load is high, T-helper cells tend to be 

        destroyed more quickly. Therefore, the aim of antiretroviral treatment is to keep the viral load as low 

        as possible.

        In places where it is available, a viral load test is carried out shortly after antiretroviral treatment is 

        started. If the treatment is working effectively, the viral load will drop to the undetectable level – below 

        50 copies/ml. Ideally this will happen within 24 weeks of starting treatment, but for some it can take 

        3 to 6 months. On the other hand, some people never reach undetectable.

        Viral load tests are then carried out every few months. As some viral load tests can produce slightly   

        different results on the same sample of blood, the results are monitored over a period of time.

        FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

4. Plan out your Healthy Lifestyle. Proper Diet, Exercise, 8hours of Sleep, etc. and an Optimistic Outlook in life would really help you to improve your immune system. Also having diversion techniques to avoid Stress and Depression will also help improve your immune System as well.

5.  Look for a SUPPORT GROUP. Weather disclosing to a person whom you can trust, it could be a member of the family or a close friend. It is best if you look for a Support Group for PLHIV nearest to your area. HIV Support Groups are brought up to help us and to provide us the over-all support that we need. 

List of Support Groups

The Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated, better known as PAFPI, is an organization that is devoted into helping those Person Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and their families in coping with their situation involving the HIV/AIDS virus. PAFPI was formed in 1998 by persons living with HIV and AIDS and uninfected persons with a view to empower persons with HIV and AIDS and their families to live a normal, happy and productive life in the mainstream of supported society.
ADDRESS: 2613 to 2615 Dian Street, Malate, Manila
LANDLINE: +63 2-404-2911, 528-4531
FAX: +63 2-567-3506
E-MAIL: positiveactionfoundation@yahoo.com , pactionphil@netscape.net
WEBSITE: www.pafpi.com

 

Pinoy Plus Association is the pioneer organization of PLHIV in the Philippines. It is a support group dedicated to the welfare of PLHIV in the country.
Pinoy Plus as an organized community of positive individuals, answering to the needs of peer HIV positive is the pioneer national organization of Filipinos living with HIV and AIDS in the country. Fighting for the rights of positive individuals. PPA are now in the forefront of further enriching the organization, documenting violations, evaluating access to every available services including all kinds of treatment, care and support. Gone beyond Metro Manila, creating chapters all over the country to address the needs and offer support to individuals in need either directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic. They have learned to teach one another on how to live with HIV and how to fight for their rights.

Babae Plus, the first and only existing support group of women living with HIV in the Philippines was established in 2004. Their vision is to create An Independent Lead Organization of Empowered and Supportive Women Living with HIV/AIDS.
ADDRESS: 2615 Dian Street, Malte, Manila
LANDLINE: +63 2-382-0087
E-MAIL: babaeplus@gmail.com
 

Cavite Support Group

MOBILE#:+63 9159463340 , +63 9498992558

Cebuplus Association, Inc. (CPAI) is a non-profit, non business oriented support group run and organized by concerned individuals in Cebu to help, educate and support the people living with HIV/AIDS(PLHA), their affected families (AF) and significant others (SO).

CPAI envision greater and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV, their affected families and significant others towards improving wellness and quality of life in a supportive environment.
 

CPAI aim to be an independent, sustainable organization that contributes to gender and age responsive, universal access to positive prevention, treatment, care and support through enhanced multi-level, multi-sectored and culturally competent partnership and programs.

CORE VALUES:
S - Service
P - Passion for People
I - Integrity
R - Respect
I - Innovation
T - Teamwork

ADDRESS: Blessed Martha Weicka Sanctuary, Asilo De la Milagrosa, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City
LANDLINE: +63 2-583-8905
MOBILE#: +63 9999968485 , +63 9159061924
E-MAIL: cebuplus@gmail.com


United Western Visayas Incorporated (UWVI), is a community-based group (CBG) of people living with HIV based in Iloilo and operating in Panay and Guimaras areas with Ilonggo members across the country. The organization is active in both prevention of HIV and promotion of treatment and care among its members who are HIV positive as well as affected families. It strives to address stigma and discrimination in order to

build confidence among the newly diagnosed to access services at the local treatment hub based in the Western Visayas Medical Center.

The growing number of PLHIV in the region is driven by the large number of OFWs particularly seafarers in the region which host the highest number of Maritime Schools in the country and the flourishing – yet hidden sex industry and trafficking enroute the striving nautical highway as entry and exist points for the tourism super region in the Philippines.

The organization has a rich history since its inception in 2005 during the global fund round 5 project. The strong membership and advocacy of the group has helped the Western Visayas Medical Center to have its own CD4 machine, the first outside Manila and a half-way house based in Santa Barbara in Iloilo

ADDRESS: c/o HIV/AIDS Core Team (HACT) Office, Western Visayas Medical Cneter, Q. Abeto Street, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
LANDLINE: +033-321-0552
MOBILE#: +63 9185053555 , +63 9152883761
E-MAIL: united_wvi@yahoo.com

 

Crossbreeds, Inc.

ADDRESS: c/o Department of Internal Medicine,  Corazon Locsin Montelibano memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) Lacson-Burgos Streets, Bacolod City, Province of Negros Occidental
LANDLINE: +63 34-456-2609
MOBILE#: +63 9105389327 , +63 9162731830
E-MAIL: cross.breeds@yahoo.com

 

Vida Vivo Zamboanga 
ADDRESS: Red Cross Compound Petit Barracks, Zamboanga City
LANDLINE: +63 62-992-0642
MOBILE#: +63 9287920796
E-MAIL: viva_vivozam@yahoo.com

Mindanao Advocates

ADDRESS: 557 Kamuning Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City
TELEFAX: +63-082-297-3394
MOBILE#: +63 9089270143
E-MAIL:mindanaoadvocates@gmail.com

If you want to know more about the support groups please do contact me for further info. jakepositive@gmail.com www.facebook.com/jakepositive 09278230300 09323298893

source: http://www.avert.org/antiretroviral.htm


JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)