Hiv medication for European with work permit

[phitsanulokjohn]

Just had a phone call from a  mate of mine who resides in Pattaya.

He's always kept himself single,preferring one night stands in the lady bars,so I suppose it was only a matter of time imo.

He's just tested positive for Hiv on a visit to Spain to see his Mother,and is due to return to los next month.Doctor in Spain advised him to go back to the Uk and speak to a doctor there,but apparently he needs to return to Thailand early next month.

He's asked me to find out as much as I can, so I've scoured the net,but can't seem to find out anything specifically relating to European foreigners.

He has a medical card and work permit as he has a company,and has been paying into the Thai social security system for approx 18 months.

Under this scheme will his meds be free of charge?

Any help would be appreciated

[Sheryl]

Yes, meds will be covered by Social Security, assuming this is what he has.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[saakura]

Yes, free coverage. People like me who have safe sex and healthy habits and have paid into SS for 22 years will pay for it. ☺☺

[SoNowWhat]

On 5/21/2018 at 7:22 PM, saakura said:

Yes, free coverage. People like me who have safe sex and healthy habits and have paid into SS for 22 years will pay for it. ☺☺

And people like me who don't smoke will pay for those with emphysema, and people like me without children will pay for your kids runny nose.

[scubascuba3]

Just had a phone call from a  mate of mine who resides in Pattaya.

He's always kept himself single,preferring one night stands in the lady bars,so I suppose it was only a matter of time imo.

He's just tested positive for Hiv on a visit to Spain to see his Mother,and is due to return to los next month.Doctor in Spain advised him to go back to the Uk and speak to a doctor there,but apparently he needs to return to Thailand early next month.

He's asked me to find out as much as I can, so I've scoured the net,but can't seem to find out anything specifically relating to European foreigners.

He has a medical card and work permit as he has a company,and has been paying into the Thai social security system for approx 18 months.

Under this scheme will his meds be free of charge?

Any help would be appreciated

How did he catch HIV? Girl? LB? Would be interesting to know, he should have a good idea

 

[manarak]

I won't comment on the rest, but this bit is simply wrong:

Quote

He's always kept himself single,preferring one night stands in the lady bars,so I suppose it was only a matter of time imo.

if using a condom, risk of HIV infection is not higher, don't spread misconceptions.

[mindovermatter]

Right. He's covered.

[phitsanulokjohn]

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

How did he catch HIV? Girl? LB? Would be interesting to know, he should have a good idea

 

He just always enjoyed being single.Bar girl was the source as far ss I'm aware.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

4 minutes ago, phitsanulokjohn said:

He just always enjoyed being single.Bar girl was the source as far ss I'm aware.

 

So he wasn't gay. I think people are interested because there are some dangerous posters here who claim HIV is impossible to catch with prostitutes basically.

[sfokevin]

Medicine can be easily sourced at the Bangkok Red Cross... With a doctors prescription one can buy a six month supply of meds from them...

One can get generic versions for less than 1,000 baht for a months supply...

 

http://www.adamslove.org/en-d.php?id=73

 

Here is a good description of the process a foreigner can go through... 

http://pozboysg.tumblr.com/post/36344282081/bens-letter-seeking-hiv-treatment-in-bangkok

 

The above is just an example... One can easily get a prescription much cheaper than the Bumrugrad example... If your friend is seeing a doctor in Spain/UK he can also ask them for a written prescription which the Bangkok Red Cross will also honor...

 

Edited June 7, 2018 by sfokevin

[scubascuba3]

He just always enjoyed being single.Bar girl was the source as far ss I'm aware.

Its always hard to find out how people catch HIV, when I've read forums about it before they tend to be vague such as "was very promiscuous", I'm more interested in say if he only did vaginal sex, or anal sex infrequently or frequently etc. Would be useful if they were honest about whether LBs were involved and how frequently

 

[sfokevin]

A second issue if your friend is going to use the Government SS system... Research the HIV meds they want to prescribe... They may prescribe the cheaper older drugs - Some of which have a long term side effect of facial/body wasting... Be firm and ask for the newer drugs such as generic Atripla...

Edited June 7, 2018 by sfokevin

[sfokevin]

If there is anyone reading this thread who has a similar lifestyle (sexually active with strangers) to the OPs friend I would seriously suggest you look into taking Prep which is a one a day pill that can prevent the transmission of HIV - This is not 100% effective and should not be used as a replacement for condoms!...

 

In Thailand they sell generic Truvada (Teno-EM) for ~600 baht for a months supply - See link below #34

 

http://www.adamslove.org/en-d.php?id=73

Edited June 7, 2018 by sfokevin

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

 

So he wasn't gay. I think people are interested because there are some dangerous posters here who claim HIV is impossible to catch with prostitutes basically.

Dangerous and delusional.

 

Most of the TV members I know of who acquired HIV here - and there are a number - did so through heterosexual sex. As did many of the infected Thai males.

 

 

[Sheryl]

30 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

If there is anyone reading this thread who has a similar lifestyle (sexually active with strangers) to the OPs friend I would seriously suggest you look into taking PEP which is a one a day pill that can prevent the transmission of HIV - This is not 100% effective and should not be used as a replacement for condoms!...

 

In Thailand they sell generic Truvada (Teno-EM) for ~600 baht for a months supply - See link below #34

 

http://www.adamslove.org/en-d.php?id=73

PrEP not PEOP

 

PEP is post exposure

 

PrEP is pre-exposure

[kopite]

Very worrying that people assume you can't get HIV from bargirls or via "normal" sex. The estimate in Bangkok is that 20% of sex workers are HIV positive.

There are many factors to consider. I would advise your friend to leave Thailand and return to the UK. The NHS and specialist HIV teams in the UK are some of the best in the world, especially if you live near to London, Manchester and Liverpool.

PM me if you would like some more info!

[Ks45672]

11 hours ago, kopite said:

Very worrying that people assume you can't get HIV from bargirls or via "normal" sex. The estimate in Bangkok is that 20% of sex workers are HIV positive.

There are many factors to consider. I would advise your friend to leave Thailand and return to the UK. The NHS and specialist HIV teams in the UK are some of the best in the world, especially if you live near to London, Manchester and Liverpool.

PM me if you would like some more info!

Gay minority has obviously a higher % 

But majority of the population are not gay

So.......... 

The only conclusion is that most of it must be transmitted from straight sex

 

Not to necessarily blame it all on prostitution because they are more likely to use condoms than "good girls" you might meet on dating sites etc

 

[kopite]

Gay minority has obviously a higher % 
But majority of the population are not gay
So.......... 
The only conclusion is that most of it must be transmitted from straight sex
 
Not to necessarily blame it all on prostitution because they are more likely to use condoms than "good girls" you might meet on dating sites etc
 

Not in my experience. Most girls will be/can be persuaded to consent to not wearing a condom with minimum fuss. Most girls will be high on drugs or drink if in the sex industry.

But your right, it isn't just confined to the sex industry or LGBT community. HIV doesn't discrimate.

[Ks45672]

20 minutes ago, kopite said:

 

 

Not in my experience. Most girls will be/can be persuaded to consent to not wearing a condom with minimum fuss. Most girls will be high on drugs or drink if in the sex industry.

But your right, it isn't just confined to the sex industry or LGBT community. HIV doesn't discrimate.

 

Why would you even want to persuade a hooker to not use a condom?? 

 

I'm sure we've all taken risks in the past etc but the job she does is a high risk profession 

 

Also, if she agrees to go bareback with you, do you believe she will not do the same for the previous/next guy who asks? 

 

[impulse]

On an aside, what's going to happen next time he goes in for his medical certificate to renew the WP?  (Assuming, of course, he goes in for a real physical and not one of the 500 baht rubber stamps)

 

Is HIV one of the diseases that disqualifies, like Ph 3 syphilis does?

 

[Sheryl]

On an aside, what's going to happen next time he goes in for his medical certificate to renew the WP?  (Assuming, of course, he goes in for a real physical and not one of the 500 baht rubber stamps)
 
Is HIV one of the diseases that disqualifies, like Ph 3 syphilis does?
 

No, it is not. The required medical certificate does not even ask about it.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[impulse]

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No, it is not. The required medical certificate does not even ask about it.

 

Good info, because some countries won't even give you a visa if you're HIV positive, much less let you reside there.  I'm pleased to hear that foreigners can pursue treatment in Thailand without fear of piling on immigration problems.

 

[kopite]

Why would you even want to persuade a hooker to not use a condom?? 

 

I'm sure we've all taken risks in the past etc but the job she does is a high risk profession 

 

Also, if she agrees to go bareback with you, do you believe she will not do the same for the previous/next guy who asks? 

 

You would be surprised how many people believe that HIV is difficult to be passed on by a woman to a man. In pattaya it seems to be something that you hear a lot. The reality is that most BG's won't be great health, drink/drugs and even if they are aware of their status and are taking meds they won't be taking them strictly. HIV then builds a resistance to the drugs. Viral Load then increases making it easier to catch. There is a lot of men 50+ in HIV clinics in the UK. I guess that they never got it from the local bar maid.

 

Also a lot of people don't know there status for 10 years, nearly 50% of people get diagnosed late so I would say many maybe have moved on, back home etc before they get diagnosed. There is also the fact that HIV tests in Thailand are second rate and can't be trusted 100%.

 

Estimates in the UK are that 15% of UK HIV new diagnoses are acquired abroad, mainly in Thailand. So if you do the math of those who are aware of their status it's roughly around 15,000 men. Now add Australians, Americans, Europeans etc. It's quite scary actually.

[scubascuba3]

You would be surprised how many people believe that HIV is difficult to be passed on by a woman to a man.

There is also the fact that HIV tests in Thailand are second rate and can't be trusted 100%.
 

On your first point, my UK STI doctor said it was very low risk. Have you looked at the numbers?

On your second point, I've found their testing to be very good and efficient, results within an hour. If you are referring to a bar girl getting HIV results, who would trust those?

[kopite]

On your first point, my UK STI doctor said it was very low risk. Have you looked at the numbers?

On your second point, I've found their testing to be very good and efficient, results within an hour. If you are referring to a bar girl getting HIV results, who would trust those?

It may be low risk. But lots of men aren't satisfied with just vaginal intercourse. So the risk increases. Lots of girls won't know there status, so high viral load, risk increases. The fact that so many have been infected is proof enough that it isn't "hard to catch".

Regarding the second point, my UK consultant (who runs the north west clinics, and is regarded as a leading HIV Dr worldwide) said that you can't trust a HIV test in Asia. There is a higher percentage of wrong diagnosis. Granted this maybe "out country" but I'm sure it applies to a small clinic in soi boukow as well. Maybe she is just being negative about healthcare abroad but she said that many people who had tested negative in Thailand had tested positive in the UK.

[scubascuba3]

she said that many people who had tested negative in Thailand had tested positive in the UK.

Of course that is possible due to the 3 month window, many people don't understand that, and by the way many HIV tests available at smaller clinics incl Soi Buakhao are passed to hospitals for testing such at Bangkok Pattaya hospital

[jenny2017]

OP, as already mentioned, the Thai SS will pay for all medicine your friend will need.

 

  But if your friend is still in Europe, he should know his virus count per ml, and the amount of CD 4. It's very important to know these two factors to be able to give the right medication.

 

    Most hospitals have HIV groups where they meet from time to time, meds are usually given for two months, regular blood tests are needed.

 

  They also test sputum from time to time and I assume that that's nationwide the same procedure.

 

   One of my relatives is in such a program for many years now and it seems that they know what they're doing. 

Edited June 10, 2018 by jenny2017
Adding

[jenny2017]

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

 

 

Of course that is possible due to the 3 month window, many people don't understand that, and by the way many HIV tests available at smaller clinics incl Soi Buakhao are passed to hospitals for testing such at Bangkok Pattaya hospital

 

Or the Memorial. 

Edited June 10, 2018 by jenny2017

[jenny2017]

40 minutes ago, kopite said:

It may be low risk. But lots of men aren't satisfied with just vaginal intercourse. So the risk increases. Lots of girls won't know there status, so high viral load, risk increases. The fact that so many have been infected is proof enough that it isn't "hard to catch".

Regarding the second point, my UK consultant (who runs the north west clinics, and is regarded as a leading HIV Dr worldwide) said that you can't trust a HIV test in Asia. There is a higher percentage of wrong diagnosis. Granted this maybe "out country" but I'm sure it applies to a small clinic in soi boukow as well. Maybe she is just being negative about healthcare abroad but she said that many people who had tested negative in Thailand had tested positive in the UK.

I thought all prostitutes have to be tested from time to time/ 

[kopite]

Of course that is possible due to the 3 month window, many people don't understand that, and by the way many HIV tests available at smaller clinics incl Soi Buakhao are passed to hospitals for testing such at Bangkok Pattaya hospital

Yes and also because in Thailand if you get a HIV screening it will be the Elisa Test followed by another Elisa if the first one was positive. You only get the western blot test if your second Elisa is negative. The Elisa is just a screening test that isn't 100% reliable.

In Europe and USA you get an Elisa followed by a western blot for confirmation.