Get tested for HIV and receive effective treatment: doctors

[snoop1130]

Get tested for HIV and receive effective treatment: doctors

By The Nation

 

 

Nearly 30,000 people in Thailand remain unaware that they are living with HIV and so have not yet sought treatment with antiretroviral drugs, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Suwanchai Watthanayingcharoenchai said on Monday.

 

These people could unknowingly pass along the virus to others, he warned, urging Thai public members to get free HIV/Aids tests from public hospitals twice yearly.

 

Once someone knows their HIV status, they can start treatments via the universal healthcare scheme, the Social Security Office scheme or the civil servant's healthcare scheme, he said.

 

“The faster you know, the better you can control the disease [by taking antiretroviral drugs] and stop it from spreading [to others],” Suwanchai said.

 

His comments were made to mark the Voluntary Counselling Testing (VCT) Day for HIV/Aids, which falls on July 1 every year. This year's VTC theme is “Know Your Status”, which aims to ensure people access the free-and-fast HIV tests and to promote quality of life and healthcare. 

 

Thailand’s health authority is aiming to significantly reduce the number of people living with HIV and the number of HIV/Aids deaths by 2030.

 

The DDC, using mathematical modelling, estimates there were 6,400 new HIV/Aids cases reported last year, while 18,000 people living with HIV died and about 480,000 people are now living with HIV, Suwanchai said. Of those living HIV-positive people, 451,384 knew of their status while about 28,000 were unaware and so were not yet being treated, he said.

 

For more information about the HIV test and treatments, call the Aids and Unwanted Pregnancy Hotline at 1663, the National Health Security Office Hotline at 1330 or the DDC Hotline at 1422.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30372075

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-07-01

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[d2b2]

With the social stigma HIV still carries, the government must set up anonymous clinics to deal with the problem. Many are fearful of the fallout from family and work and avoid testing because of the loss of anonymity. 

I think Bangkok red cross has the nation's only such facility. If that model were spread out nationwide, Thailand would reap enormous reductions in infection rates (including other STDs) as well as vast sums in cost savings. As long as there is a stigma and a reporting requirement, the problem of infection will continue. 

Edited July 2, 2019 by d2b2

[phka]

If 30,000 people are unaware they have hiv how does the DDC know there are 30,000 unaware

Just curious

[sanemax]

2 minutes ago, phka said:

If 30,000 people are unaware they have hiv how does the DDC know there are 30,000 unaware

Just curious

Anonymous testing of patients without telling them ?

[Lemonltr]

I read that the latest simple quick blood test is extremely accurate. Just a minute drop of blood on to a 'stick' which has two lines. From memory it was one line negative and shows two lines as positive. But why not make these available for sale for self testing? I can bet that would improve the outcome dramatically. They are available in the UK but I think that they then must be sent somewhere for results. 

[sjaak327]

56 minutes ago, d2b2 said:

With the social stigma HIV still carries, the government must set up anonymous clinics to deal with the problem. Many are fearful of the fallout from family and work and avoid testing because of the loss of anonymity. 

I think Bangkok red cross has the nation's only such facility. If that model were spread out nationwide, Thailand would reap enormous reductions in infection rates (including other STDs) as well as vast sums in cost savings. As long as there is a stigma and a reporting requirement, the problem of infection will continue. 

Yes, the red cross on Ratchadamri conducts HIV tests anonymously. Indeed a role model for state hospitals in Thailand.

[atyclb]

48 minutes ago, phka said:

If 30,000 people are unaware they have hiv how does the DDC know there are 30,000 unaware

Just curious

 

 

statistical extrapolation-estimate

[ronaldo0]

5 hours ago, Lemonltr said:

I read that the latest simple quick blood test is extremely accurate. Just a minute drop of blood on to a 'stick' which has two lines. From memory it was one line negative and shows two lines as positive. But why not make these available for sale for self testing? I can bet that would improve the outcome dramatically. They are available in the UK but I think that they then must be sent somewhere for results. 

Can buy them on amazon for around 30 quid plus many other std tests . It’s a home test that requires prick of blood from finger and tells you results very quickly. The reviews said it was super accurate , with only people saying it was bad were people who didn’t follow instructions properly.

[LongTang]

6 hours ago, Lemonltr said:

I read that the latest simple quick blood test is extremely accurate. Just a minute drop of blood on to a 'stick' which has two lines. From memory it was one line negative and shows two lines as positive. But why not make these available for sale for self testing? I can bet that would improve the outcome dramatically. They are available in the UK but I think that they then must be sent somewhere for results. 

 

They should be available here as well:

 

 

[CaptainJack]

Information only....

 

The 4th Generation Rapid test is accurate close to 99 percent at 4 weeks post exposure. 

 

The last studies have changed the reference to both HIV treatments and PREP from "undetectable " to "undetectable and impassable " here in the USA.  

 

I realize we are way ahead of Thailand on the entire HIV program,  but a few other new developments worth mentioning. 

 

There are now , that I know of two new additional treatments for HIV, and our FDA is expected to approve in 2020 a once a month injection as a new way to treat and control HIV instead of the daily one or two pills to treat HIV.

 

There is much more going on in the science area.  We are still battling the stigma and judgment of HIV by the public. 

 

I can get more information and post for anyone wanting from our HIV clinics here in Austin.  

 

 

[thesetat2013]

I wasnt aware that antiretroviral medicine prevents passing the disease to others as this article hints at. 

 

 

Once someone knows their HIV status, they can start treatments via the universal healthcare scheme, the Social Security Office scheme or the civil servant's healthcare scheme, he said

“The faster you know, the better you can control the disease [by taking antiretroviral drugs] and stop it from spreading [to others],” Suwanchai said.

[CaptainJack]

33 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

I wasnt aware that antiretroviral medicine prevents passing the disease to others as this article hints at. 

 

 

Once someone knows their HIV status, they can start treatments via the universal healthcare scheme, the Social Security Office scheme or the civil servant's healthcare scheme, he said

“The faster you know, the better you can control the disease [by taking antiretroviral drugs] and stop it from spreading [to others],” Suwanchai said.

Yep! The zero viral load (undetectable) when on HIV drugs has now passed some many trials regarding passing the virus,  it is considered impassable.  

 

The recommendation is still use condoms.  The increase in other STD's, unfortunately here in the USA is on the rise.☹

[wisperone]

Is it really possible for someone to be infected with HIV and genuinely not know it? I would think that one would feel like crap with what that does to the body, even though I know it make take several months for one to register as positive. Being afraid and not wanting to come to terms with it is another thing.

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, wisperone said:

Is it really possible for someone to be infected with HIV and genuinely not know it? I would think that one would feel like crap with what that does to the body, even though I know it make take several months for one to register as positive. Being afraid and not wanting to come to terms with it is another thing.

Some people would have noticeable symptoms during the early seroconversion phase, but many wouldn't. Charlie Sheen is a high profile example who became suspicious he was positive after he started getting cluster headaches, though with a gonzo lifestyle of banging porn stars on a cocktail of drugs, he always knew he was walking a thin line. But many people may not get any symptoms they recognise, or they may get very mild symptoms they confuse with a regular fever, flu etc. 

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, wisperone said:

Is it really possible for someone to be infected with HIV and genuinely not know it? I would think that one would feel like crap with what that does to the body, even though I know it make take several months for one to register as positive. Being afraid and not wanting to come to terms with it is another thing.

My pal was diagnosed with it last year, the Brit doctors said he may have been infected as long as 15 years ago.

He died last month, no symptoms until 1 year before the end, and not in an obviously 'at risk' group so why would he get tested?

[sanemax]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

My pal was diagnosed with it last year, the Brit doctors said he may have been infected as long as 15 years ago.

He died last month, no symptoms until 1 year before the end, and not in an obviously 'at risk' group so why would he get tested?

Is that the same guy that regulary used prostitutes all over Asia ?

[CaptainJack]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

My pal was diagnosed with it last year, the Brit doctors said he may have been infected as long as 15 years ago.

He died last month, no symptoms until 1 year before the end, and not in an obviously 'at risk' group so why would he get tested?

Hi,

 

I can tell you that "everyone " is at risk.  In the USA,  estimates are around two million people may be infected with HIV and be unaware.   They cover the full spectrum,  gay, straight,  bisexual,  Male, female and transgender.  

 

All the science in in. Early detection and treatment provides the individual with a good chance of a long and healthy life, plus, with treatment,  the risk of transmission is virtually zero.

 

HIV is now even an emerging problem in nursing homes.   I'm not joking.   The stigma around HIV and the lack of testing is our biggest obstacle now to eliminating this disease. 

 

I hope this answers your question.