STDs/HIV test in Issan

[thebenjamin]

Hello,

I tried to gather some information from TV and other websites about HIV test in Issan.

 

can someone verify if it's possible to get tested in Udon thani? what are the costs?

 

Thank you!

[Sheryl]

An HIV test can be done at any hospital. It is quite cheap (few hundred baht at most) at government hospitals.

 

Maybe 500 -  1,000 at private hospital.  Cost can vary a little because the testing can involve more than one test if the initial one is positive. What they do is first use a simple rapid test that screens for antibodies. If that is negative, the result is negative. If it is reactive then they have to do additional, more specific tests.

 

Note that it takes some time after infection to turn antibody positive. Most people will have antibodies a 4-6 weeks after initial infection but in some cases it can take as much as 6 months. Hence if you have had a high risk exposure in the past 6 months it is recommended to repeat a negative  antibody test at 3 and 6 months (counting from data of last risk exposure).

 

If you are extremely worried there are tests that are accurate sooner, based on detection of the actual virus in the blood. These however are much more expensive (5K baht on up), results take several days and only really large hospital can do them (in Udon Thani, they might need to send the specimen to Bangkok, not sure).