That Irregular Student-Blog of a PLHIV-

It has been a little over a month since I found out about my status and just recently enrolled in taking my medication. It hasn’t been easy - not that it poses a huge obstacle in my life or anything but it does need getting use to. 

I’m basically a walking time bomb with my emotions. I’ve been told by my doctor that EFAV would have me be easily irritated most of the time. I’ve been advised to take them in the evening before sleeping so that I would not be feeling most of the side effects such as drowsiness and increased irritability while awake. Although he has said this would usually last until late morning, I usually feel these effects in the afternoon.

As a student, it’s difficult for me. Not only do I have to control my emotions towards my fellow students and towards my professors, I also have to control them in order for me to have a proper output. Little things which tick me off during the day usually make me end up being lazy or less likely to finish anything. I don’t know up until when my body needs to cope with this, but so far it’s a good thing I could somewhat manage. Having been limited into taking a certain number of classes this term also helped. I don’t have to deal with people as much.

Know your HIV status. Know where to get tested.

Free HIV Testing sites

1. Loveyourself UNI (formerly called as RITM Satellite Clinic)

2028 Taft Avenue Extension, Pasay City - located conveniently close to LRT-1 Gil Puyat or Buendia station on the northbound lane of Taft Avenue; above Mercury Drug.

Clinic hours:

Wednesday to Saturdays - 12 NN to 7 PM 

Sundays - 9 AM to 2 PM

Phone: (02) 256-9384

(see images below)

2. Loveyourself Anglo

Unit 5, 3/F, Anglo Building, #715-A Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City -  It is a 3-minute walk from Shaw MRT Station, and is situated just behind Star Mall EDSA

Clinic hours:

Wednesday to Saturdays - 12 NN to 7 PM

Sundays - 9 AM to 2 PM

Phone: 0915-366-LOVE  (0915-366-5683)

(see images below)

Other Testing Sites

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Human’ meaning it could only be transferred from one person to another - mosquito bites and other contact with animals do not spread HIV. ‘Immunodeficiency’ means that your immune system’s ability to ability to fight infectious diseases is compromised or entirely absent. And ‘virus’ is a small infectious agent which can replicate itself only inside living organisms - so if it is exposed outside of the human body it dies.

What is AIDS? What makes it different from HIV?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Having been infected with HIV, without proper care, medication and treatment, the bodies immune system begins to weaken. This makes the person more susceptible to being infected with various infections and diseases. Having opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and tumors to name a few would the person be considered to be in the AIDS stage.

How is HIV transmitted?

Unprotected sexual intercourse and contaminated needles are the leading cause of the spread of HIV. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids: Blood, Semen, Vaginal Fluids, and Breast Milk. It could not be spread through air, casual contact, sharing utensils, etc. Individuals of any sexual orientation, age, race or gender could contract HIV. 

Why is it so hard to cure?

Once inside the body, the HIV infects cells which are part of the immune system - in particular Helper T Cells which help defend the body against bacterial and fungal infections. HIV is a retrovirus meaning it could write its genetic code into the genome (genetic material in an organism) of infected cells and using them to make more copies of themselves. Within the first stages of infection, the HIV replicates itself within the Helper T Cells and destroying many of them during this process. During this stage, the person may experience flu like symptoms. After, they may feel better and healthy again but the HIV continues to replicate. When T-cell count drops too low, the person infected is at risk at easily contracting deadly infections that healthy immune systems could normally handle. With the immune system being too low and the person having had contracted infections, this stage is considered as AIDS.