HIV/STD testing in Phuket

[ptitprince]

Hello everyone,

Thanks in advance for your help.

I live in Phuket. I plan on doing an HIV/STD test. Where are the best places, and what is the procedure? (eg: do I need to provide any document: some insurance, any form of ID; is it anonymous, how fast do I get the result, how much is it, opening times and days, address/phone number, etc).

PS: If possible near Phuket Town, but I can move around the island.

Thank you.

Ptitprince.

[h90]

I don't know for Phuket. But in Bangkok I went into a junk clinic, they took my blood, and next day, they send you all results per email (if it isn't Friday).

I made a full blood test. Maybe from Phuket they must send it to Bangkok +1 day or they can do it local?

I showed money and wrote my name. I could wrote Mr. Mickey Mouse and it would have been OK.

I really urge you to think why you worry about HIV and don't let it happen again.....

There are some limitations to the normal HIV test, sure someone can explain these better than I can do.

[N47HAN]

For something as important as those tests , personally i would only choose bbkphuket or phuket international hospitals.

However there are alot clinics around the island that offer those tests. Notable at least 3 wirhin a 5 minute walk of bkk hospital itself.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Sheryl]

General consensus seems to be Phuket International hospital as best for blood tests. I am not sure what you mean by "STD" tests so do not know if that would be a blood test or if you need to see a urologist but if the latter, can do that there as well.

They will; want to see your passport as ID. You do not need to show insurance unless you have a policy that covers outpatient costs and wish to make a claim. It is not anonymous per se but your medical records are confidential and cannot be shared with outsiders without your consent (note that if you request your insurance company to be billed, or subsequently make an insurance claim, in both instances you are giving consent for your insurance co to have access to your records which is something you might want to think twice about especially since out of pocket costs for this will not be much).

HIV test is done initially with a dipstick which gives instant results, however false positives can happen so any positive results then have to undergo an additional test which depending on whether it is done onsite can involve a few hours to a day or two. Rather than put people through the unnecessary anxiety of knowing the initial result was positive (since most will; then turn out to have been a false positive), many hospitals will tell you to come back for the results after anywhere from half a day to 1-2 days so as to allow them enough time to do the second test if indicated. But some places will tell you right away if the dipstick test is negative.

Important to understand that conventional HIV test is based on antibodies which take time to develop. So a negative test does not rule out a recent HIV infection. It takes as much as 6 months to develop detecatble antibodies, though most people will do so within 3.

If you are concerned because of risky behavior in the past 6 months, you will need to repeat the test even if negative, avoiding all risky behavior in the interim, in order to be sure you are uninfected. Alternatively, there are mush more expensive and time-consuming tests that will detect the presence of the actual virus in your blood after as little as 2 weeks. not sure if PIH can do this, it is called a PCR test.

[h90]

General consensus seems to be Phuket International hospital as best for blood tests. I am not sure what you mean by "STD" tests so do not know if that would be a blood test or if you need to see a urologist but if the latter, can do that there as well.

They will; want to see your passport as ID. You do not need to show insurance unless you have a policy that covers outpatient costs and wish to make a claim. It is not anonymous per se but your medical records are confidential and cannot be shared with outsiders without your consent (note that if you request your insurance company to be billed, or subsequently make an insurance claim, in both instances you are giving consent for your insurance co to have access to your records which is something you might want to think twice about especially since out of pocket costs for this will not be much).

HIV test is done initially with a dipstick which gives instant results, however false positives can happen so any positive results then have to undergo an additional test which depending on whether it is done onsite can involve a few hours to a day or two. Rather than put people through the unnecessary anxiety of knowing the initial result was positive (since most will; then turn out to have been a false positive), many hospitals will tell you to come back for the results after anywhere from half a day to 1-2 days so as to allow them enough time to do the second test if indicated. But some places will tell you right away if the dipstick test is negative.

Important to understand that conventional HIV test is based on antibodies which take time to develop. So a negative test does not rule out a recent HIV infection. It takes as much as 6 months to develop detecatble antibodies, though most people will do so within 3.

If you are concerned because of risky behavior in the past 6 months, you will need to repeat the test even if negative, avoiding all risky behavior in the interim, in order to be sure you are uninfected. Alternatively, there are mush more expensive and time-consuming tests that will detect the presence of the actual virus in your blood after as little as 2 weeks. not sure if PIH can do this, it is called a PCR test.

Just to add: Most probably the PCR will detect it even before 2 weeks. It can detect one single piece of virus in the sample. It is the gold standard of tests, but slow and need skilled people. Don't know if it is easily available.

[ptitprince]

General consensus seems to be Phuket International hospital as best for blood tests. I am not sure what you mean by "STD" tests so do not know if that would be a blood test or if you need to see a urologist but if the latter, can do that there as well.

They will; want to see your passport as ID. You do not need to show insurance unless you have a policy that covers outpatient costs and wish to make a claim. It is not anonymous per se but your medical records are confidential and cannot be shared with outsiders without your consent (note that if you request your insurance company to be billed, or subsequently make an insurance claim, in both instances you are giving consent for your insurance co to have access to your records which is something you might want to think twice about especially since out of pocket costs for this will not be much).

HIV test is done initially with a dipstick which gives instant results, however false positives can happen so any positive results then have to undergo an additional test which depending on whether it is done onsite can involve a few hours to a day or two. Rather than put people through the unnecessary anxiety of knowing the initial result was positive (since most will; then turn out to have been a false positive), many hospitals will tell you to come back for the results after anywhere from half a day to 1-2 days so as to allow them enough time to do the second test if indicated. But some places will tell you right away if the dipstick test is negative.

Important to understand that conventional HIV test is based on antibodies which take time to develop. So a negative test does not rule out a recent HIV infection. It takes as much as 6 months to develop detecatble antibodies, though most people will do so within 3.

If you are concerned because of risky behavior in the past 6 months, you will need to repeat the test even if negative, avoiding all risky behavior in the interim, in order to be sure you are uninfected. Alternatively, there are mush more expensive and time-consuming tests that will detect the presence of the actual virus in your blood after as little as 2 weeks. not sure if PIH can do this, it is called a PCR test.

Thank you very much Sheryl,

STD is Sexually transmitted disease: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_disease

Would you know how much is the cost? I have a file at the Mission Hospital in Phuket Town: could i do the test there? Would i need to take an appointment, or I just show up?

Sorry for the many questions

Thank you.

Take care.

Ptitprince.

[ptitprince]

I don't know for Phuket. But in Bangkok I went into a junk clinic, they took my blood, and next day, they send you all results per email (if it isn't Friday).

I made a full blood test. Maybe from Phuket they must send it to Bangkok +1 day or they can do it local?

I showed money and wrote my name. I could wrote Mr. Mickey Mouse and it would have been OK.

I really urge you to think why you worry about HIV and don't let it happen again.....

There are some limitations to the normal HIV test, sure someone can explain these better than I can do.

Hello

Thank you for the answer, and the advice.

Do you remember how much you paid?

ptitprince.

[ptitprince]

For something as important as those tests , personally i would only choose bbkphuket or phuket international hospitals.

However there are alot clinics around the island that offer those tests. Notable at least 3 wirhin a 5 minute walk of bkk hospital itself.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thank you Nathan,

I have a dossier at the Mission Hospital in Phuket Town. Do you think they would do it there? And that it would be reliable enough? Any idea about the cost?

Thank you.

Regards.

Ptitprince.

[ptitprince]

For something as important as those tests , personally i would only choose bbkphuket or phuket international hospitals.

However there are alot clinics around the island that offer those tests. Notable at least 3 wirhin a 5 minute walk of bkk hospital itself.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

PS

Those clinics, would you happen to have the name and or contact details? Are they as reliable or more reliable than hospitals? Cheaper, more expensive? An idea of the cost of the test? Sorry for the many questions, and thanks.

Ptitprince.

[ptitprince]

General consensus seems to be Phuket International hospital as best for blood tests. I am not sure what you mean by "STD" tests so do not know if that would be a blood test or if you need to see a urologist but if the latter, can do that there as well.

They will; want to see your passport as ID. You do not need to show insurance unless you have a policy that covers outpatient costs and wish to make a claim. It is not anonymous per se but your medical records are confidential and cannot be shared with outsiders without your consent (note that if you request your insurance company to be billed, or subsequently make an insurance claim, in both instances you are giving consent for your insurance co to have access to your records which is something you might want to think twice about especially since out of pocket costs for this will not be much).

HIV test is done initially with a dipstick which gives instant results, however false positives can happen so any positive results then have to undergo an additional test which depending on whether it is done onsite can involve a few hours to a day or two. Rather than put people through the unnecessary anxiety of knowing the initial result was positive (since most will; then turn out to have been a false positive), many hospitals will tell you to come back for the results after anywhere from half a day to 1-2 days so as to allow them enough time to do the second test if indicated. But some places will tell you right away if the dipstick test is negative.

Important to understand that conventional HIV test is based on antibodies which take time to develop. So a negative test does not rule out a recent HIV infection. It takes as much as 6 months to develop detecatble antibodies, though most people will do so within 3.

If you are concerned because of risky behavior in the past 6 months, you will need to repeat the test even if negative, avoiding all risky behavior in the interim, in order to be sure you are uninfected. Alternatively, there are mush more expensive and time-consuming tests that will detect the presence of the actual virus in your blood after as little as 2 weeks. not sure if PIH can do this, it is called a PCR test.

Just to add: Most probably the PCR will detect it even before 2 weeks. It can detect one single piece of virus in the sample. It is the gold standard of tests, but slow and need skilled people. Don't know if it is easily available.

Thanks for the precision. Any idea of the cost of the PCR? I'll check what place in Phuket does it.

[Sheryl]

Yes, I know what STD stands for. But there are many different STDs. Aside from HIV, I don't know what it is you want to test for. there is no one "STD" test.

I would advise against any of the stand alone labs for this, not sure of the reliability. Stick to hospitals. Mission Hospital is fine, so is PIH or Bkk Hosp Phuket.

PCR in Bangkok runs about 5,000 - 10,000 baht. I have no idea re Phuket.

For the PCR you will have to see a doctor first, can't just walk in and get it (as you can for the regular antibody test).

PIH does not list an infectious disease specialist on staff (surprisingly). Bangkok Hospital Phuket has one http://www.phukethospital.com/Find-A-Doctor.php

Mission Hosp doesn't their doctors list online

BTW if you have not been vaccinated fro Hepatits B need to test for that as well, it is spread the same way as HIV and easier t catch. Highly endemic here.