HIV screening info

[dugger]

Originally Posted by rachgu

Hi,

Interesting thread but i have some enquiries.

I have read up Dr Tan wesite about the anonymous HIV testing and Rapid Anonymous HIV combo test. Something which i do not understand, i was told by my doctor last time once we are tested and re-confirm positive for HIV, our name will be submitted to sg government health board? So how can it be anonymous?

Another thing, anyone know roughly what is the cost of treatment per month for HIV?

http://www.afa.org.sg/act/27/3.htm

The cost, if purchase in Singapore, can go way over the SGD$1000 mark. Looking at the AFA article, price in Thailand for original drugs is half of that in Singapore and 75% less for the generic drugs.

More info of different antiviral drugs and their prices
http://aids.about.com/od/treatmentqu...edications.htm

In short, cost depends on the country and the drug combination that is effective for the person i.e. less side effects, based monitoring of the CD4 count etc.

As far as I know, only Taiwan is the only country that has program that is giving out the antiviral treatments to its citizen for free, though recently there have been some budget issues being brought up due to the program.


Disclaimer : I am just presenting information that are available on the web. All questions about cost and treatment should always be consulted with a physician.

[DoctorTan]

Originally Posted by rachgu

Hi,

Interesting thread but i have some enquiries.

I have read up Dr Tan wesite about the anonymous HIV testing and Rapid Anonymous HIV combo test. Something which i do not understand, i was told by my doctor last time once we are tested and re-confirm positive for HIV, our name will be submitted to sg government health board? So how can it be anonymous?

Another thing, anyone know roughly what is the cost of treatment per month for HIV?

It is anonymous because we have been given a special mandate by the Ministry of Health to conduct anonymous HIV test. In this vein, we have signed a gazette filed in the Supreme Court of Singapore that lets us off the hook for that particular clause of the Infectious Diseases Act which mandates that every healthcare worker who knows or even suspects that a patient have HIV has to report it to MOH.

That is why not every clinic an do this. We were chosen after a stringent process of training and SOP accreditation.

In short, MOH has given us the right to break the law when it comes to notification of HIV patients.

When you ask about HIV cost, I think you are asking about medication cost. This does not give a complete picture as it excludes consultation costs, cost of tests, cost of investigating and treating opportunistic infections, cost of travel (if you are seeking treatment outside of Singapore), opportunity cost when you travel etc etc

As for medications costs only, Singapore's CDC claims in Singapore it can be as low as $400 per month. I have personally not seen this. Medication costs in Singapore can go to as high as $2000 per month. There are buyers clubs in Singapore who bring in the medicines from Thailand and they are much cheaper. HIV medicines in Thailand can cost as low as $150 per month. In Malaysia, Malaysians get 1st and 2nd line HIV medicines for free. In Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy runs free HIV clinics.

[Frankiestine]

Originally Posted by DoctorTan

Medication costs in Singapore can go to as high as $2000 per month. There are buyers clubs in Singapore who bring in the medicines from Thailand and they are much cheaper. HIV medicines in Thailand can cost as low as $150 per month. In Malaysia, Malaysians get 1st and 2nd line HIV medicines for free. In Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy runs free HIV clinics.

It almost seems like our very own gov wants to punish whoever has been stricken with HIV for their indiscretion.

[rachgu]

Dear Dr Tan,

Thanks for answering my question. I have a friend who have raw sex with his new gf a few times for the pass 3 month. Recently his this new gf went for blood test and found to be HIV positive. Alarmed by this, my friend also took a full blood test but was found HIV negatve, only white blood count higher than normal.

Is there a possibility that 3 months is not enough time for the test to be accurate? How is the reliability of blood test? Is there a sure fire way to test if it is HIV positive or negative?

Originally Posted by DoctorTan

It is anonymous because we have been given a special mandate by the Ministry of Health to conduct anonymous HIV test. In this vein, we have signed a gazette filed in the Supreme Court of Singapore that lets us off the hook for that particular clause of the Infectious Diseases Act which mandates that every healthcare worker who knows or even suspects that a patient have HIV has to report it to MOH.
s.

[maxsee]

So is the girlfriend a local or foreigner ?

[misterdark]

Originally Posted by rachgu

Dear Dr Tan,

Thanks for answering my question. I have a friend who have raw sex with his new gf a few times for the pass 3 month. Recently his this new gf went for blood test and found to be HIV positive. Alarmed by this, my friend also took a full blood test but was found HIV negatve, only white blood count higher than normal.

Is there a possibility that 3 months is not enough time for the test to be accurate? How is the reliability of blood test? Is there a sure fire way to test if it is HIV positive or negative?

Accurate past 3 months according to DSC guidelines.

[Satos43]

Originally Posted by rachgu

Dear Dr Tan,

Thanks for answering my question. I have a friend who have raw sex with his new gf a few times for the pass 3 month. Recently his this new gf went for blood test and found to be HIV positive. Alarmed by this, my friend also took a full blood test but was found HIV negatve, only white blood count higher than normal.

Is there a possibility that 3 months is not enough time for the test to be accurate? How is the reliability of blood test? Is there a sure fire way to test if it is HIV positive or negative?

Provided that his last sexual encounter with his gf was 3 months ago when he took the test, the test should be conclusive and he should thank his lucky stars he escaped.

[KingCheong]

So I did my HIV test today at Dr Tan's Clinic.

Contrary to the other bros before me, I had a full agonizing 3 weeks of mental hell, torture, stress, anxiety...etc. I was going mad imagining about the worse case scenario. I even lost weight and couldn't sleep for the past 2 weeks.
I told myself if my test came out positive, I would seriously contemplate suicide.

Well thank all the gods, my test came out NEGATIVE! After all these years of cheonging I was given a 2nd chance in life. And I am not going to throw this away, I am going to cherish my life more, spend more time with my parents who are getting on in age. I will never go for any form of commercial sex again, I am going to be faithful to my gf and one day marry her and have children with her. I will love her and look after her till the day I die.

Having said that, I can't help but wonder about those who were tested positive. How are they coping with this new realization that their lives will never be the same again? I pray that they find the strengths to continue living and ultimately pray that a cure can be found soon enough for them.

[Big Sexy]

they can still live a normal life. it isnt the end of the world

Originally Posted by KingCheong

Having said that, I can't help but wonder about those who were tested positive. .

[maxsee]

Although it is not the end of the world for HIV positive people....the cost of treatment each month in Singapore might just kill them....

[rachgu]

Does it matter local or foreigner?

Originally Posted by maxsee

So is the girlfriend a local or foreigner ?

Too bad last sexual encounter was not 3 month though first was.

Originally Posted by Satos43

Provided that his last sexual encounter with his gf was 3 months ago when he took the test, the test should be conclusive and he should thank his lucky stars he escaped.

Congrats u found what u want.

Originally Posted by KingCheong

After all these years of cheonging I was given a 2nd chance in life. And I am not going to throw this away, I am going to cherish my life more, spend more time with my parents who are getting on in age.

Too many, it is the end of the world after diagnose with positive result.

Originally Posted by Big Sexy

they can still live a normal life. it isnt the end of the world

Originally Posted by maxsee

Although it is not the end of the world for HIV positive people....the cost of treatment each month in Singapore might just kill them....

[RootAccess]

Went testing at ASA before. They will present this graph that shows that almost every case is detected by 3 months. Test again in 6 months to be 100% sure.

[Big Sexy]

ASA? the tour operator?
surely u mean AFA.

Originally Posted by RootAccess

Went testing at ASA before. They will present this graph that shows that almost every case is detected by 3 months. Test again in 6 months to be 100% sure.

[SexCraved]

I had sex w a csw from fl3 , after came then realise cd slip off but she say is come in side cd, but the cd take out like not though I see some semen inside after she throw into dustbin. Am f scared now, less than 72hrs, is going for hiv pep useful? It's costly and will it cause long term damage as m planning a family..

F worried n couldn't slp all night. See my wife besid me emotions filled me.
I going to stop all these shit I swear . Moment of folly, married bros pls stop

[maxsee]

Better to go for PEP now before it is too late.....if u suay enough to contract HIV....the long term medical cost will be much more.....