ako si BONG: prevention

Showing posts with label prevention. Show all posts

Monday, October 27, 2014

FREE HIV TESTING IN SAN PABLO CITY!

i think we should have more of this in region 4!

spread the news!

ito ang aking diary

ako si BONG

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Saturday, November 30, 2013

STAYIN' ALIVE!

Well now, I get low and I get high,

And if I can't get either, I really try.

Got the wings of heaven on my shoes.

I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.

You know it's all right. It's OK.

I'll live to see another day.

We can try to understand

The New York Times' effect on man.

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother,

You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.

Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin',

And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.

~ bee gees

this is how much i have to deal with to stay alive.

difficult you say? nah!!!

it takes a little time to get used to

definitely confusing at times

pero its actually easy

these meds keeps me healthy

parang multivitamins lang

today my routine labs went well, spotless

and so i can breathe easy

coudn't ask for more

sabi nga ni Janina San Miguel,

"i dont peel eyni preysyur rayt now"

today we celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY!

25 days til christmas!

HAPPY!

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

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Friday, August 24, 2012

kakabalik ko lang from RITM ALABANG, while i was totally scared that my CD4 have dropped, i was totally amazed that in fact it has increased to 499. no meds. no nothing,

after hearing about it, a PLHIV friend texted:

L: Wow congrats, ano secreto mo?
Bong: Lot's of safe sex! hahaha!
L: hahaha. adik!
Bong: seriously, i live my life like i don't have it.
L: haha, nice.

___

let me explain that further... syempre hindi naman totally like normal life... of course as much as possible i eat healthy na rin and watch what i eat. kung di man makatulog on time, i make sure i sleep 8 hours a day. minsan stressful pa rin ang trabaho ko, madalas pala... but what i can proudly say that i've been very 'positive' sa pananaw ko sa buhay that sometimes pati ako nagugulat (eversince naman ganun na ako, mas lalo pa ngayon), like nung HABAGAT, bumabaha na lahat, i still felt okay, habang nagkakagulo at nadedepress at nagpapanick na ang lahat. i was so calm and relaxed, naglulutangan na ang mga gamit ko sa tubig, i was sooo cool about it, nasa isip ko lang nun i have to stay "positive and cheerful" and so i did. minsan nagugulat talaga ako sa sarili ko, immune na yata ako sa negative energy.

minsan lang talaga nagwoworry din ako (konti lang) lalo na kapag nagkakasakit ako --- like 1 month ago nagkatrangkaso ako, high fever at sakit ng katawan, 1 week ako house arrest, gumaling ako sa co-amoxiclab --- tapos this week konting ubo at sipon, under antibiotics ulit ako.... eh hindi naman ako sanay sa ganito na nagkakasakit kasi for 30 more years hindi naman ako nagkakalagnat nor sipon talaga, kaya syempre nagwoworry din ako ng konti - baka bumababa na cd4 count ko. nung nagpatest nga ako nung isang araw eh ready na ako sa sarili ko na magsimula ng gamot (ARV) kung talagang bababa ang count ko -

pero ayun nga tumataas pa --- swerte lang siguro ako --- sabi ni doc baka member ako ng mga taong hindi talaga masyado naaapektuhan ng HIV (magdilang anghel ka sana doc) kasi considering na walang meds, eh tumataas pa rin ang CD4 ko at perfect pa rin lahat ng mga baseline laboratory results ko. sabi rin ni doc, ang mga trangkaso at sipon ay normal lang na occurance kahit sa mga healthy na tao lalo na sa panahon ngayon na tag ulan -so i dont have to worry about it. ang importante daw at kumonsulta agad sa duktor everytime may karamdaman para magamot kaagad.

kaya ngayon happy ako, im on the right track, sana eh tuloy tuloy na.

btw. everytime i visit RITM Alabang, maraming revelations, syempre di maiiwasan makasalamuha ang mga pasyente dun, lagi ako may nakikitang malapit na kaibigan, so ayun nakakaron na ng disclosure na di inaasahan. para sa akin okay lang masaya nga...

"ay ikaw din!!!"

tapos ayun chikahan na

ansaya

ito ang aking diary
ako si BONG

..... and yes, i do have lots of safe SEX (hahaha), i dont want to go into details pero masaya ako, super saya, medyo salat sa salapi pero dinadagsa ng pagmamahal!

INFO ON TREATMENT CARE & SUPPORT!

yan nag-positve ka na --- pano ka na ngayon???

MUST READ!
I SAW THIS FROM JAKE (http://www.jakepositive.blogspot.com)
SOME VERY HELPFUL INFO FOR PLHIVs

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.

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.

Cavite Support Group

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

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

Crossbreeds, Inc.

Vida Vivo Zamboanga

Mindanao Advocates

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

jake's source: http://www.avert.org/antiretroviral.htm

Thursday, August 2, 2012

SI ANDREW FROM MINDANAO

Hello bong

I'm andrew... For the past six years jan ako sa manila nagtatatrabaho. Naging sexually active ako at hindi safe sex yung practice ko. Sa ngayon dito na ako sa mindanao. May boyfriend ako taga jan sa manila, pero sigurado ako na safe sya sa hiv kasi bago nya ako nakilala he's not into men talaga. Nagkikita naman kami minsan pag nagbabasyon kami at minsan pumupunta sya dito. Pagnagsesex kami oral sex lang, as in ako lang yung magtatatrabaho. Ayaw nya rin yung anal sex at never nagyari sa amin yun. Pero twice nangyari na pinutok ko yung semen ko sa ari nya at ginawa ko itong lubricant habang inistroke ko yung ari nya gang labasan siya. Kunyari positive ako posible bang mahawa siya dahil sa ginawa kong yun? Sana may time ka sagutin itong tanong ko. Natatakot kasi ako para sa kanya. Takot din ako magpatest at hindi pa ready. Siguro darating din ang time na lumakas loob koagpatest. Basta ang lage ko lang pinagdarasal na kung may sakit man ako sa akin nalang ito.

Maraming salamat sayo bong at more power sa blog mo God BLess us all!

Andrew

hello andrew,

let me comment/answer point by point:

Naging sexually active ako at hindi safe sex yung practice ko. --- UNSAFE SEX MEANS RISK FOR HIV, YOU SHOULD GET YOURSELF TESTED.

pero sigurado ako na safe sya sa hiv kasi bago nya ako nakilala he's not into men talaga --- HINDI IBIG SABIHIN NA HINDI SYA MAHILIG LALAKI (OR MAYBE STR8 SYA) AY HINDI NA SYA MAGKAKA HIV, HIV CAN ALSO BE TRANSFERRED SA HETEROSEXUAL ENCOUNTER, ANG TANUNG EH DOES HE PRACTICE SAFE SEX SA MGA PREVIOUS SEX ENCOUNTERS NYA WHETHER MALE OR FEMALE, IF NOT SAFE THEN HE HAS TO GET TESTED TOO.

Pagnagsesex kami oral sex lang, as in ako lang yung magtatatrabaho. Ayaw nya rin yung anal sex at never nagyari sa amin yun. --- ORAL SEX IS RELATIVELY SAFE PROVIDED WALANG SUGAT SA BIBIG MO AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ALWAYS SPIT THE SEMEN OR WAG MAGPAPALABAS SA BIBIG.

Pero twice nangyari na pinutok ko yung semen ko sa ari nya at ginawa ko itong lubricant habang inistroke ko yung ari nya gang labasan siya. --- ALTHOUGH THE URETHRA IS LINED BY MUCOUS MEMBRANE, TECHNICALLY THERE IS RISK OF TRANSFER, PROVIDED YOU HAVE HIV AND MAYBE AN OPEN WOUND SA DICK NYA, BUT THE CHANCES OF HIM GETTING IT IS VERY SLIM BECAUSE HIV IN THE SEMEN MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT AND THE VIRUS MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THE CONDITION ITS IN (EXPOSURE TO AIR)... VERY VERY SLIM CHANCE, IF NOT ZERO. BUT IT WOULDN'T HURT KUNG MAGPAPATEST KAYO. ;)

Takot din ako magpatest at hindi pa ready. Siguro darating din ang time na lumakas loob ko magpatest. Basta ang lage ko lang pinagdarasal na kung may sakit man ako sa akin nalang ito. --- PINAKAMAHIRAP TALAGA YUNG FIRST STEP AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEARFUL SITUATION COMPLETELY, PAALALA KO LANG SA YO, YUNG TESTING CAN BE STEP 2, RIGHT NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU IS TO GET EDUCATED ABOUT HIV, THAT SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST STEP (MAS MADALI) SO YOU GET TO KNOW UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT HIV AND STILL ENJOY SEX WITHOUT PUTTING YOURSELF AT RISK - IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO ATTEND ANY HIV 101 LECTURE, PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO ATTEND. KASI USUALLY NATATAKOT TAYO SA MGA BAGAY NA HINDI NATIN ALAM. I WILL BE QUITE SURE THAT ONCE EDUCATED YOUR VIEWS ON HIV WILL DRAMATICALLY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. HINDI ITO DAPAT KATAKUTAN AT HINDI ITO KATAPUSAN NG MUNDO, THERE WILL BE NO REASON FOR YOUR TO KEEP IT TO YOURSELF WHILE WITH PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION YOU CAN STILL LIVE A FULL LIFE. SANA AT LEAST TAKE THE FIRST STEP VERY SOON. HELP YOURSELF. LOVE YOURSELF.

salamat sa iyong pagsulat andrew,

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary