With social media websites like Twitter or Facebook, one can enjoy anonymity he or she wants - especially if one is a PLHIV. You can have one real account and an alter-ego account. I only have one real account each in Facebook and Twitter. I don't keep an alternate account for my "other" self - the PLHIV side of me.
The number of poz accounts on Twitter, as I observed, have grown the past 2 years. I joined Twitter in 2009 so I'm marking my 4th year on that website this year.
The poz accounts I've seen do not have the real pic of the owners as expected. It's either a caricature or some other photo. That's understandable because PLHIVs would rather keep their identity secret, considering the stigma and discrimination attached to those positive of the virus.
The increase in the number of poz accounts in Twitter also seems to reflect the growing number of PLHIVs in the country. Creating an alternate account is good because PLHIVs still need to interact or communicate with others, albeit online, under the cloak of anonymity or without baring their status. Talking it over, ranting or simply expressing one's thoughts on Twitter, or even on a blog (like I do in this blog), can help a PLHIV move on and accept his or her status.
So, if you need someone to talk to, just drop me a line here or via my email account and I will reply. :)
Friday, March 15, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
US baby "cured" of HIV. Too premature yet to celebrate
One of the trending topics on Twitter was HIV so I clicked on it and found news reports about an American baby girl who was "functionally" cured of HIV. Here's the news item: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/03/health/hiv-toddler-cured/index.html
By the way, I am always online in Twitter and in YM than in Facebook. That's why I came across that article.
Anyway, I read through the new report. While I am happy that the toddler was cured of HIV via early intervention after she was administered antiretroviral drugs within several hours after delivery, we should be cautious yet about whether it will work also for adults.
I've seen tweets from people celebrating the medical development but I dare say that it is too early to do so. While early detection and intervention can work in adults in such a way that it can stop HIV from progressing into AIDS, the fact is that there is yet no cure at all for the ailment or no medicine that can kill the virus in an infected person's system.
We have to remember that ARVs can control the virus from multiplying much but it cannot, I repeat, it cannot get rid of the virus from a PLHIV's system.
I will only celebrate once an infected adult had been completely cured of HIV after several tests and that cure can be commercially available to PLHIVs at an affordable price.
By the way, I am always online in Twitter and in YM than in Facebook. That's why I came across that article.
Anyway, I read through the new report. While I am happy that the toddler was cured of HIV via early intervention after she was administered antiretroviral drugs within several hours after delivery, we should be cautious yet about whether it will work also for adults.
I've seen tweets from people celebrating the medical development but I dare say that it is too early to do so. While early detection and intervention can work in adults in such a way that it can stop HIV from progressing into AIDS, the fact is that there is yet no cure at all for the ailment or no medicine that can kill the virus in an infected person's system.
We have to remember that ARVs can control the virus from multiplying much but it cannot, I repeat, it cannot get rid of the virus from a PLHIV's system.
I will only celebrate once an infected adult had been completely cured of HIV after several tests and that cure can be commercially available to PLHIVs at an affordable price.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Latest HIV stats - and the number keeps rising
I came across a tweet from Dr. Eric Tayag of the Department of Health (DOH) wherein he revealed the latest HIV statistics in the country, as follows:
"Doc Eric Tayag @erictayagSays
#HIV alert: #DOH reports 380 new cases in January, the most number of new cases per month since 1984 Cumulative total now at 12,082."
Normally, I'd just shrug off the latest stats because I know that it would show a further increase in the number of HIV cases in the country but what caught my attention was the phrase - the most number of new cases per month since 1984. 1984 was when the first HIV case was recorded in the country.
If that isn't very alarming - then I dunno what it is. This means that more than 300 souls now harbor the virus that still has no cure. 380 persons who lives have been drastically changed. 380 persons who I am sure are going through a rough time dealing with their status.
It is very sad that the number of HIV cases in the country keeps rising and I think that it won't stop increasing anytime soon. The Philippines is only one of 2 Asian countries where HIV cases are going up.
When will the government take drastic steps to stem the rising cases of HIV? Something needs to be done - and done fast. Individually, we should find out our status as early as possible and strictly practice safe sex.
"Doc Eric Tayag @erictayagSays
#HIV alert: #DOH reports 380 new cases in January, the most number of new cases per month since 1984 Cumulative total now at 12,082."
Normally, I'd just shrug off the latest stats because I know that it would show a further increase in the number of HIV cases in the country but what caught my attention was the phrase - the most number of new cases per month since 1984. 1984 was when the first HIV case was recorded in the country.
If that isn't very alarming - then I dunno what it is. This means that more than 300 souls now harbor the virus that still has no cure. 380 persons who lives have been drastically changed. 380 persons who I am sure are going through a rough time dealing with their status.
It is very sad that the number of HIV cases in the country keeps rising and I think that it won't stop increasing anytime soon. The Philippines is only one of 2 Asian countries where HIV cases are going up.
When will the government take drastic steps to stem the rising cases of HIV? Something needs to be done - and done fast. Individually, we should find out our status as early as possible and strictly practice safe sex.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Goodbye and hello
Sounds like a movie title, huh.
I'm saying goodbye by March 1 to the old place I live in Makati City and say hello to a new pad.
It's a bittersweet goodbye because the old place harbors memories - both good and bad. It is in that old place that I was bedridden for almost a day when I contracted pneumonia and then hospitalized. Luckily, I survived. It was also in that same place that I went home crying my heart out after learning that of my status.
But life has to move on and I have a good feeling about the new place. It will be a fresh start and hopefully it will mostly be good times there.
I'm saying goodbye by March 1 to the old place I live in Makati City and say hello to a new pad.
It's a bittersweet goodbye because the old place harbors memories - both good and bad. It is in that old place that I was bedridden for almost a day when I contracted pneumonia and then hospitalized. Luckily, I survived. It was also in that same place that I went home crying my heart out after learning that of my status.
But life has to move on and I have a good feeling about the new place. It will be a fresh start and hopefully it will mostly be good times there.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Feud
Much as I welcome the existence of non-government organizations (NGOs) dedicated to raising HIV awareness and helping stem the increase in HIV cases in the country, I can't help but be disappointed how personal interests, even egos, get in the way of coming up with a united front on the issue.
I'm talking of the feud between two famous groups that are separately engaged in the HIV and Aids campaign. They'd come up with separate projects aimed at keeping the number of HIV cases in the country from reaching epidemic proportions.
From where I sit and after learning the respective sides of the 2 groups from people I know who are members of the two organizations, it is saddening to know that instead of working together so as to make their campaign more effective and wide-reaching, differences on how a project should be taken, personal issues, and pride are the obstacles to reaching that goal.
If only they'd realize that lives are at stake and they should unite to make sure that there are no more new cases of HIV infection and deaths due to HIV-related complications, then that would be such a welcome development.
I'm talking of the feud between two famous groups that are separately engaged in the HIV and Aids campaign. They'd come up with separate projects aimed at keeping the number of HIV cases in the country from reaching epidemic proportions.
From where I sit and after learning the respective sides of the 2 groups from people I know who are members of the two organizations, it is saddening to know that instead of working together so as to make their campaign more effective and wide-reaching, differences on how a project should be taken, personal issues, and pride are the obstacles to reaching that goal.
If only they'd realize that lives are at stake and they should unite to make sure that there are no more new cases of HIV infection and deaths due to HIV-related complications, then that would be such a welcome development.
Deaths
I don't mean to be morbid by choosing Deaths as the title of this post but it best describes what the topic precisely is.
In the months that I was "away" from the blogosphere, I've heard of the demise of young guys due to HIV-related ailments and complications. Two of those who passed away were dear friends.
One was more than 30 years old and a very good friend of mine. He and I belonged to a Facebook group. Before he passed away, I never knew he was HIV positive since he was full of life and ambition. Months before he died, he was in and out of the hospital because of ailments left and right. Then he expired. I was completely speechless and shocked when I learned that he died at such a young age and I had a suspicion that he was a PLHIV. My suspicion was confirmed by my friend's siblings, who revealed to me his status. They told me my friend simply gave up on living and became depressed. He stopped taking ARVs, which led to health complications. As a return gesture for revealing the status of my friend, I came out to them and we hugged each other. It was such an emotional moment. They would remind me every now and then to never give up like what their brother did. They instantly became my "sisters." We still keep in touch every now and then.
The second guy died at the age of 21. He was from the southern part of the metro. We encountered each other via Twitter as he had a poz account. We never got to meet but we'd often chat with each other via YM. Then a few months before he moved on, he was acting weird and complained of not feeling well. The next thing I knew, he passed away several hours after he was rushed to his treatment hub. I never knew the exact cause of his death but later learned from a common friend what he died of. I will not reveal here the ailment he died of to protect his privacy and his family. I was so saddened by his death and since I couldn't go to his wake, I had a Mass sponsored for the eternal repose of his soul.
Before my two friends died, I've been hearings of young guys dying left and right - presumably due to opportunistic infections. Just last week, I learned that a guy in his early 30s, a model and a regular fixture in the local gay scene, died in a hospital. I didn't know what he died of but I came across his Facebook profile. I've seen him already - I told myself.
It is really sad to learn of young guys who have died due to HIV-related illnesses - either because they learned of their status too late and medical intervention couldn't help reverse the effects of HIV infections or worse, they didn't know their status at all.
This is where it is really important to know one's HIV status as early as possible. Like I did. And I am lucky that I survived a bout of pneumonia before I learned of my status in 2010 and thankful that medical intervention is keeping the virus in me at bay. I am not rid of HIV but I have managed to "tame" it.
In the months that I was "away" from the blogosphere, I've heard of the demise of young guys due to HIV-related ailments and complications. Two of those who passed away were dear friends.
One was more than 30 years old and a very good friend of mine. He and I belonged to a Facebook group. Before he passed away, I never knew he was HIV positive since he was full of life and ambition. Months before he died, he was in and out of the hospital because of ailments left and right. Then he expired. I was completely speechless and shocked when I learned that he died at such a young age and I had a suspicion that he was a PLHIV. My suspicion was confirmed by my friend's siblings, who revealed to me his status. They told me my friend simply gave up on living and became depressed. He stopped taking ARVs, which led to health complications. As a return gesture for revealing the status of my friend, I came out to them and we hugged each other. It was such an emotional moment. They would remind me every now and then to never give up like what their brother did. They instantly became my "sisters." We still keep in touch every now and then.
The second guy died at the age of 21. He was from the southern part of the metro. We encountered each other via Twitter as he had a poz account. We never got to meet but we'd often chat with each other via YM. Then a few months before he moved on, he was acting weird and complained of not feeling well. The next thing I knew, he passed away several hours after he was rushed to his treatment hub. I never knew the exact cause of his death but later learned from a common friend what he died of. I will not reveal here the ailment he died of to protect his privacy and his family. I was so saddened by his death and since I couldn't go to his wake, I had a Mass sponsored for the eternal repose of his soul.
Before my two friends died, I've been hearings of young guys dying left and right - presumably due to opportunistic infections. Just last week, I learned that a guy in his early 30s, a model and a regular fixture in the local gay scene, died in a hospital. I didn't know what he died of but I came across his Facebook profile. I've seen him already - I told myself.
It is really sad to learn of young guys who have died due to HIV-related illnesses - either because they learned of their status too late and medical intervention couldn't help reverse the effects of HIV infections or worse, they didn't know their status at all.
This is where it is really important to know one's HIV status as early as possible. Like I did. And I am lucky that I survived a bout of pneumonia before I learned of my status in 2010 and thankful that medical intervention is keeping the virus in me at bay. I am not rid of HIV but I have managed to "tame" it.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
RITM visit and an awkward encounter
As I mentioned last week, I went to RITM-ARG this morning to get my fresh supply of antiretrovirals (ARVs). I am taking efavirenz and lamivudine-zidovudine.
I left my place around 8:30 a.m. and expected to be at RITM at 10 a.m. and by then, I expected that there won't be many patients at the ARG by that time since CD4 and other laboratory tests were scheduled from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. only. I was wrong and I will get to that later.
It was quite a quick trip to Alabang except for traffic in certain areas of the South Luzon Expressway and I arrived in Alabang at 9:30. I took the FX to RITM and got in the facility almost 10 a.m. When I entered the clinic, there were about 10 other PLHIVs there, one of whom was an old friend of mine and it was only that moment I learned that he was a PLHIV also. He was filling up Philhealth papers. I learned that he was diagnosed in 2007 and into ARVs too. Frankly, it was an awkward meeting and we just exchanged pleasantries for a short while. Awkward because of the discovery that we were both PLHIVs and we didn't know what to tell each other or how to start telling our sob story.
My friend resumed filling up Philhealth papers while I sat nearby and preoccupied myself with my phones. Within a 20-minute waiting period, 10 more guys entered the RITM-ARG and I told myself: Whoa, there are really many PLHIVs already. The ARG was getting too crowded so it was a good thing that my name was called and after getting the papers I needed, I went to the pharmacy to get my ARV supply.
I stayed in RITM for less than an hour. After getting my ARVs, I proceeded to Festival Mall to have snacks and then went home to Makati. During the bus ride home from Alabang to Makati, I felt sad because of the reality that the HIV situation in the country has gone from bad to worse as evidenced by the many PLHIVs we now have. I recalled way back in 2010 that the ARG won't get too crowded with many patients unlike now.
With the number of PLHIVs growing by leaps and bounds, the sense of privacy in government-run treatment hubs (THs) is now non-existent. I should seriously consider moving to another TH soon where there's more privacy for PLHIVs like me.
I left my place around 8:30 a.m. and expected to be at RITM at 10 a.m. and by then, I expected that there won't be many patients at the ARG by that time since CD4 and other laboratory tests were scheduled from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. only. I was wrong and I will get to that later.
It was quite a quick trip to Alabang except for traffic in certain areas of the South Luzon Expressway and I arrived in Alabang at 9:30. I took the FX to RITM and got in the facility almost 10 a.m. When I entered the clinic, there were about 10 other PLHIVs there, one of whom was an old friend of mine and it was only that moment I learned that he was a PLHIV also. He was filling up Philhealth papers. I learned that he was diagnosed in 2007 and into ARVs too. Frankly, it was an awkward meeting and we just exchanged pleasantries for a short while. Awkward because of the discovery that we were both PLHIVs and we didn't know what to tell each other or how to start telling our sob story.
My friend resumed filling up Philhealth papers while I sat nearby and preoccupied myself with my phones. Within a 20-minute waiting period, 10 more guys entered the RITM-ARG and I told myself: Whoa, there are really many PLHIVs already. The ARG was getting too crowded so it was a good thing that my name was called and after getting the papers I needed, I went to the pharmacy to get my ARV supply.
I stayed in RITM for less than an hour. After getting my ARVs, I proceeded to Festival Mall to have snacks and then went home to Makati. During the bus ride home from Alabang to Makati, I felt sad because of the reality that the HIV situation in the country has gone from bad to worse as evidenced by the many PLHIVs we now have. I recalled way back in 2010 that the ARG won't get too crowded with many patients unlike now.
With the number of PLHIVs growing by leaps and bounds, the sense of privacy in government-run treatment hubs (THs) is now non-existent. I should seriously consider moving to another TH soon where there's more privacy for PLHIVs like me.
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