All the world’s a stage and you are the performers! The stage is set for the National HIV Testing Day themed KYS (Know Your Status) and Play in partnership with Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) on November 23, 2019 from 11:00am to 7:00pm. LoveYourself has joined forces with more than ten (10) Community Based Organizations (CBOs) nationwide for you to experience fast, free, and confidential HIV testing in a fraction of the time.
Sign up now for a fast, free and anonymous HIV screening.
#KYSandPlay marks the eighth community-led multi-site National HIV testing event spearheaded by LoveYourself, beginning with Incognito in May 2016. This is part of LoveYourself’s efforts to make HIV screening easier and more accessible to more Filipinos, together with other CBO’s in the nation. By promoting timely HIV testing as a regular part of one’s self-care routine, more Filipinos can take charge of their sexual health.
This National HIV Screening Day is perfect for people on the go! In just 15 to 20 minutes, rapid screening shortens the processing time compared to regular testing and assures 100% accuracy for nonreactive results! These rapid test kits can even detect HIV 1 and 2 antibodies with only a few drops of blood.
What exactly should you expect to happen during a rapid screening setup at #KYSandPlay? First, you register at the front desk where a unique identifier code (UIC) will be given based on a few personal information as well as generated client number with QR code upon successful registration which shall be scanned per station to guide you throughout the process.
After registration, you can proceed to the laboratory section for blood extraction. No worries here as only a pinprick with a newly opened sterilized lancet will be used as a sample. Compared to the regular screening where a bigger needle is used and a syringe full of blood is extracted, in rapid screening set-up, the needle to be used is much smaller and only a drop of blood is needed to run the test. Afraid it’ll hurt? Well don’t fret as our Volunteers will be gentle with you in getting a sample of your blood. Once the sample is dropped onto the kit, a reagent is added to activate it. Results will be ready to read in 15 to 20 minutes.
While waiting for the results, our tireless volunteers will facilitate an engaging discussion about the screening process, basics of HIV transmission, and sexual health management. After which, a trained change agent or counselor shall conduct risk assessment prior to the release of result. This private individual session with a counselor is the best time to raise questions and concerns related to HIV.
When results are ready, your counselor or life coach will then explain to you whether you are reactive or nonreactive. When you test nonreactive, your counselor will emphasize how you can have safer and satisfying sex with your current sexual practices, and you can be on your way home! It is important to note that this process does not give you a printed copy of your results for anonymity and confidentiality purposes. If you prefer or need a physical copy then you can visit LoveYourself Uni or Anglo on another day after the HIV Testing Event to avail of the standard testing process during regular clinic operations.
When results are reactive, your Life Coach assures you that you won’t have to go through this alone. They will be on hand to guide you through the treatment process including the requirements needed prior to enrollment to a treatment center as well as health management for newly diagnosed Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) It is essential to get yourself treated immediately with a treatment center of your convenience to protect you from possible infections.
All discussions with our counselors and life coaches, especially the results, will be kept confidential. So what are you waiting for, register now at bitly.com/KYSandPlay2019 to get tested, Know Your Status (KYS) and break the stigma.
To learn more about rapid screening assay testing kits and its accuracy, click on this link.
Text by Ronald Bugarin
