Std & Hiv Tests

[Thulemin]

Hello,

I've been with my boyfriend for a few weeks and we were considering getting tests, just to be sure before doing anything foolish. I know in France we can do it for free in hospitals but how does it work here ? Do you have to go to hospital or to a special place ? How much is it supposed to cost ? Have you ever heard of any free HIV tests around Thailand (I live in Chiang Mai) ?

Also, can I get contraception pills without going to the gynecologist first (like going in a pharmacy and asking for whichever brand they have) or do I need to get back to see one first. I'm kind of reluctant to pay I-don't-know-how-much for just 5min of talking so that they would prescribe pills...

Thanks a lot for the help !

[girlx]

you can buy b.c. pills over the counter.... you should go to a decent hospital for tests though, i recommend bangkok nursing hospital, i go there all the time. though the young male gynecologist is kind of an idiot- i had to educate him on my diagnosis and prescriptions last time i went, as he was clueless. but the others are ok.

[orchis]

Silom Clinic for std tests

[Thulemin]

Er... I live in Chiang Mai I don't really fancy going to BKK just for a test as I'm sure they will have it in CM too. I guess i could have it at Chiang Mai Ram or smthg but do you have an idea of how much it costs ?

Thanks for the answer anyway ^^

[wasabi]

I just want to tell you HIV is still a very big problem in Thailand, we just don't hear about it as much these days. Unless your boyfriend has not had sex with anyone else in the 3 months prior to getting tested you can't be certain he is negative regardless of the test result. Also Promiscuity is very rampant here. I would advise against having unprotected sex with anyone at any time in Thailand.

[Goyave]

Er... I live in Chiang Mai I don't really fancy going to BKK just for a test as I'm sure they will have it in CM too. I guess i could have it at Chiang Mai Ram or smthg but do you have an idea of how much it costs ?

Thanks for the answer anyway ^^

It should cost you (HIV rapid test) 300 baht per person in your nearest public hospital. No need to go to Bangkok for that. Results within the hour (if you don't have your test there too late in the day of course).

[mommysboy]

Er... I live in Chiang Mai I don't really fancy going to BKK just for a test as I'm sure they will have it in CM too. I guess i could have it at Chiang Mai Ram or smthg but do you have an idea of how much it costs ?

Thanks for the answer anyway ^^

It should cost you (HIV rapid test) 300 baht per person in your nearest public hospital. No need to go to Bangkok for that. Results within the hour (if you don't have your test there too late in the day of course).

Wait a second!!! I wouldn't go advising youngsters to go getting HIV tests without good cause and without counselling. HELP MODERATOR !!!!!!!!

[Hairy]

Wait a second!!! I wouldn't go advising youngsters to go getting HIV tests without good cause and without counselling. HELP MODERATOR !!!!!!!!

Why on Earth not??

[Sheryl]

Pre and post testr counseling is routinely part of HIV testing -- or is supposed to be. I have heard accounts of the post-test counseling for those who test negative not always being done, which is a shame, as counseling people who are HIV negative on how to stay that way is also quite important.

As for "good cause", being sexually active is good cause, unless it is and has always been completely limited to a mongamous relationship or 100% condom use and with a partner on whose monogamy one/ unfailing condom use one is prepared to risk one's life.

Sounds like the OP is making a wise decision to be tested and have bf tested. One caution: the rapid test will only detect HIV once antibodies have formed and will be neagtive in early stages of infection. If there is any possible of you or your bf having become infected in recent months, should have 2 tests 3 months apart and use condoms in the meantime.

(And if there is any chace he may have sex wuith others while you are with him, keep using those condoms!!!)

[mommysboy]

Wait a second!!! I wouldn't go advising youngsters to go getting HIV tests without good cause and without counselling. HELP MODERATOR !!!!!!!!

Why on Earth not??

Because the whole area is associated with sometimes extreme anxiety/agitation and a positive test can lead to various psychological problems ranging from depression to suicide. A test should follow counselling sessions to establish if it is necessary, and must should also include access to counselling afterwards too.

As to the necessity of the test in this instance, well that's the counsellor's job.

Surely condom use would be the best route at this stage.

[Thulemin]

Because the whole area is associated with sometimes extreme anxiety/agitation and a positive test can lead to various psychological problems ranging from depression to suicide. A test should follow counselling sessions to establish if it is necessary, and must should also include access to counselling afterwards too.

As to the necessity of the test in this instance, well that's the counsellor's job.

Surely condom use would be the best route at this stage.

So you mean it's better not to know ? Better putting your head in the sand than knowing ? I mean, the sooner you know you have HIV qnd take appropriate action, the better the medicines work. "Youngsters" are as liable to get HIV as older ppl and I don't see why we shouldn't know about our condition.

As for the 3-month period and the risks of whether my bf would cheat on me at one time or another, I am aware of these issues and currently talking with my bf about that. I guess the most important in here is education and understanding what is at stake for each and every of your actions... Thanks for the advices anyway

[mommysboy]

Because the whole area is associated with sometimes extreme anxiety/agitation and a positive test can lead to various psychological problems ranging from depression to suicide. A test should follow counselling sessions to establish if it is necessary, and must should also include access to counselling afterwards too.

As to the necessity of the test in this instance, well that's the counsellor's job.

Surely condom use would be the best route at this stage.

So you mean it's better not to know ? Better putting your head in the sand than knowing ? I mean, the sooner you know you have HIV qnd take appropriate action, the better the medicines work. "Youngsters" are as liable to get HIV as older ppl and I don't see why we shouldn't know about our condition.

As for the 3-month period and the risks of whether my bf would cheat on me at one time or another, I am aware of these issues and currently talking with my bf about that. I guess the most important in here is education and understanding what is at stake for each and every of your actions... Thanks for the advices anyway

Did I say that?

Just take it easy that's all. It really can have an awful effect and I speak from experience. And even from your postings now the anxiety is showing. But yes, thinking about it, it might be best for your boy friend to have a check.

Surely condoms are advisable.

[Thulemin]

Did I say that?

Just take it easy that's all. It really can have an awful effect and I speak from experience. And even from your postings now the anxiety is showing. But yes, thinking about it, it might be best for your boy friend to have a check.

Surely condoms are advisable.

Well, you did say "I wouldn't go advising youngsters to go getting HIV tests without good cause and without counseling". What I understood from what you said is "you should go and see a counselor on whether or not to have a HIV test" (not on "whether or not to stop using condoms") but maybe I misunderstood.

I mean... If you have hiv, you have hiv, right ? I think being aware of it is a good enough cause, so that you are able to take the appropriate actions, whether you actually have a relationship with someone or not.

[mommysboy]

Did I say that?

Just take it easy that's all. It really can have an awful effect and I speak from experience. And even from your postings now the anxiety is showing. But yes, thinking about it, it might be best for your boy friend to have a check.

Surely condoms are advisable.

Well, you did say "I wouldn't go advising youngsters to go getting HIV tests without good cause and without counseling". What I understood from what you said is "you should go and see a counselor on whether or not to have a HIV test" (not on "whether or not to stop using condoms") but maybe I misunderstood.

I mean... If you have hiv, you have hiv, right ? I think being aware of it is a good enough cause, so that you are able to take the appropriate actions, whether you actually have a relationship with someone or not.

I can't answer, it seems that whatever I write may confuse the issue. perhaps stick with the moderator's posting.

I added the bit about condoms as safe condom use all but eliminates the chance of contracting HIV, and protects against unwanted pregnancy: it's standard advice.

[khundon]

With regards to the HIV Tests You should both get them done at a GOOD Hospital or clinic and get them repeated after 3 months, in between test you must practice safe sex. The virus can take up to 3 months before it is detectable by the tests, so the first test could give you a false negative result. Wait for the result of the second test to be sure.

I found buying prescription drugs over the counter in some "Thai clinics" a bit of a lottery, are they the real thing? Again try to get them from a good hospital or clinic.

[Hairy]

The virus can take up to 3 months before it is detectable by the tests, so the first test could give you a false negative result. Wait for the result of the second test to be sure.

People can test negative for much longer than three months. I believe three months when either 95% or 99% of newly infected people test positive. Six months is usually cited as the determining point. Longer than six months has been documented a few times, but is highly unlikely.

[Arkady]

Pre and post testr counseling is routinely part of HIV testing -- or is supposed to be. I have heard accounts of the post-test counseling for those who test negative not always being done, which is a shame, as counseling people who are HIV negative on how to stay that way is also quite important.

I have been tested several times in different places in Thailand and never has any type of counselling been offered pre or post test. In small clinics the test is often done by a nurse without any input from a doctor and they frequently do the lab test right in front of you while you are pressing cotton wool on the needle puncture. You see the result at the same as the nurse and there is no need to sit in the waiting room. Even large private hospitals usually offer no counselling. A farang doctor at BNH was once reluctant to treat me for a severe ulcerated throat until he had eliminated HIV as factor. The results came in a sealed envelope and he made a joke out of opening it like it was a lucky draw. Luckily it was negative and antibiotics cleared up the throat. Perhaps they have a post-test counsellor there for people who prove positive, perhpas not. In Thailand nearly every one gets tested without any access to counselling of any type.