Leading HIV Advocacy Group offering Free HIV Test
For newly diagnosed Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV), among their top concerns are the possible side effects that might come once they start treatment. These side effects may have an impact on their way of life, especially at work and their studies. In this article, we will try to tackle the different antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, their possible side effects, and how to handle these side effects so as not to affect the PLHIVs way of life.
Access to a healthcare professional is another need expressed by LoveYourself’s PLHIV clients. This has become challenging with COVID, primarily because they are concerned about their susceptibility to COVID-19 if they go out, due to their immunocompromised status. While there is still no evidence to prove that they have an indeed greater risk of acquiring COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) still advises PLHIVs, especially “those with advanced diseases, those with low CD4 and high viral load, and those who are not taking ARV” to take extra precaution.
In response to the impending community quarantine in Metro Manila on March 15, 2020, LoveYourself has innovated its antiretroviral therapy (ART) refill delivery system.
The LoveYourself, Inc., a community-based non-profit primary health care facility for people living with HIV (PLHIV), appeals for the support of the government for the continued and uninterrupted access of PLHIV to anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.
From the booming sounds during a party to the gentle whispers from a significant other, the sense of hearing plays a significant role in making our days more vibrant. For hearing people, it is an essential to understand and appropriately respond to verbal communication. In recent years, researchers[1] in the field of HIV care has put their attention towards the hearing health of people living with HIV (PLHIV). A 2013 integrative review by Assuiti, Lanzoni, dos Santos, Erdmann, and Meirelles[2] revealed that there was not enough evidence for a direct association or implication of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and hearing loss, however they suggested to investigate the associated factors further due to inconclusive data.
Not all people respond the same way to HIV. Marahil mahirap tanggapin ng sarili ang katotohanan tungkol sa kaniyang HIV status kapag ito’y reactive, na siyang dahilan kung bakit marami sa mga PLHIV ay nagtatago na lamang sa labis na kahihiyan sa halip na humingi ng tulong upang magpagamot. At ito na nga ang tinatawag nilang stigma. Masasabi ko na marahil hindi talaga lubusang maihahanda ng mga HIV awareness programs ang mga damdamin ng isang tao kapag siya ay binabalitaan na siya mismo ay may HIV. Maaari nating sabihin na ang stigma, sa kabila ng ating pagsisikap na labanan ito, ay hindi lubusang mapapawi.