The team from RISE believe partying hard and playing safe go hand in hand.
Life is more fun if we stay healthy - and it's even better if we're taking care of each other. Knowing your HIV status and getting tested regularly is the first step in taking responsibilty of your own health, and the health of the people you care about.
We want to help you get informed about HIV Testing, so we've asked our friends at TLF SHARE Collective to help us answer some frequently asked questions.
No jargon, no judgements, just the plain and simple facts - in black and white.
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Who should undergo Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT)?
You should go for HIV testing (also known as Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing, or VCT) if you answer "YES" to one (or more) of the following questions:
- Have you recently had unprotected penetrative sex ("sucking" or "fucking" without a condom) with multiple partners?
- Have you had unprotected penetrative sex with person of unknown HIV status?
- Have you injected prohibited drugs?
How much does VCT cost?
Quick and reliable testing is widely available in the Philippines at a Social Hygiene Clinic near you, for a minimal fee (sometimes FREE of charge, depending on the clinic). Some of the clinics use the Rapid Test Kit and results are given within 15-30 minutes.
What is the procedure for VCT?
The 3-steps of VCT are as follows:
- Step 1: Pre-test counselling
Pre-test counselling is designed to help answer any of your questions or concerns. It is done by professionally trained counsellors. You will get information to help decide if you want to push through with the test. Counselling will also help you assess your level of risk in relation to possible HIV exposure.
The counsellors will explain the test procedure and the meaning of the results. They will also discuss your expectations; testing can be a very emotional experience and these professionals are trained to give you support. It is your time, so don't be afraid to ask questions - no matter how personal. Some additional information reading material is usually available so look out for it if it's not offered to you.
Pre-test counselling is standard operating procedure at all testing facilities - demand for it if it's not being given to you!
- Step 2: HIV antibody testing
Your test should be conducted by a doctor, nurse or health care worker in private.
During the actual test, a health care worker will extract a small sample of blood (either from your arm or a finger stick) and this will be tested. In the case of a rapid test, you will receive the results in 15-30 minutes. In the case of conventional laboratory tests, the results will be given to you after one week.
When the result is ready, the doctor, counsellor, nurse or health care worker will explain this to you and give any further instructions. A "positive" (also known as reactive) test result will need to be verified by undergoing a follow-up, confirmatory test.
- Step 3: Post-test Counselling
Post-test counselling is done after you receive your test result. It's designed to help you understand the meaning of the news you've just received.
Post-test counselling is given to everyone, regardless if your result is "positive" (reactive) or "negative" (non-reactive). This is also a time to discuss options for care, treatment and support that are available for a newly diagnosed person living with HIV.
The law requires that VCT be conducted in private and the results should be STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. It is prohibited to be tested for HIV without giving your prior consent.
Why should I get tested?
The best reason to take the test is because knowledge is power.
If you test "positive", you can take action and receive treatment that will keep you healthy and help prevent the virus from spreading.
If you test "negative", you will have peace of mind and can get on with your life. However, the more sexual partners you have, the more often you should get tested.
Remember: there is an incubation time (also known as a "window period") of 3-6 months before the HIV virus can be detected by standard clinical tests. Therefore it's important to get a follow-up test 3 months after your last unprotected sexual encounter.
Where can I get information quick information without going to a clinic?
There's lots of information at your fingertips on the internet. Positivism.ph is a great Philippine online resource.
More in depth information can be found at Fridae's - Know Your Status (Asia) website or at The Body (U.S)
Where can I get tested?
You can get tested for HIV at your local Social Hygiene Clinic.
However, we have received reports from many people like us that professional, dependable and discreet service is available at the following places:
For Manila Residents:
• Manila Social Hygiene Clinic
2nd Floor of 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila
(the green building across the main gate of San Lazaro Hospital, between LRT Bambang and LRT Tayuman Station).
- Screening takes place Mondays - Thursdays at 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm and on Fridays 9:00-11:00 am only.
- Contact 711-6942 and ask for Malou Tan.
For Makati Residents:
• Makati Social Hygiene Clinic
7th Floor, City Hall
J.P. Rizal St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
- Screening takes place from Monday to Friday, 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm.
- Contact 870-1615 and ask for Teresita "Tess" Pagcaliwagan, RN.
For Mandaluyong Residents:
• Mandaluyong Social Hygiene Clinic
Lerma St. Cor Vicencio St. Old Zaniga, Mandaluyong
- Contact ???? and ask for Rosalinda Cariaga or Nida Abesero.
For Pasig Residents:
• Pasig Social Hygiene Clinic
5th floor Pasig City Hall Bldg,
Karuncio Ave, Brgy San Nicolas, Pasig City
- Contact: 642-7754 or 640-2058 look for Dennis Espina
• Pasay, Quezon City and Caloocan Social Hygiene Clinics also provide testing - contact the respective City Halls for more information.
Other options available are:
• Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Dr. Jodor Lim & Ms. Dominga C. Gomez, HACT, SAGIP/PGH
Tel: 554-8400 local 3238
• Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Dr. Rossana A. Ditangco, Head, HIV Research Unit
Tel: 807-2628 or 38 local 801/208
• San Lazaro Hospital (SLH)
Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
Dr. Rosario Jessica Tactacan-Abrenica,
HACT Leader and Head, HIV/AIDS Pavilion
Tel: 309-9528 to 29; 740-8301 loc 6000
