Wife diagnosed as HIV+

[jimmiejackson 82]

This is the end of what has been a very tough week for my wife and I and I'm hoping that some of you guys might be able to help me out with some specific advice.

As a result of a routine blood donation for Charity, she was informed this week that her blood had tested positive for HIV.

I went for a test immediately and it came back negative.

I don't think there's much point in these circumstances dragging up the past but just to say that she's explained to me how she likely got it and it's just bad luck on her part.

So now it's time to look at the future.

At the moment we are waiting for the full blood tests to come back with another (from what I understand) deeper HIV test, CD4 count, Viral load, HBsAG, TPHAm Anti HBs, Anti HCV, Creatinine and SGPT (Alt). She got this test through the Red Cross and paid 3000 Baht for it.

When she gets the test back I'm sure we'll have more understanding of where she's at and the appropriate treatment.

She has Bupa insurance through her work that gives her 30 outpatient visits for a max of 1,200 Baht per time per year. She is in the Thai Social Fund and I purchased Cigna International Silver insurance (inpatient only) for us both last September (which would have been after she was infected but before we found out, or that she was reasonably supposed to know she had an infection).

I've read through all kinds of information on here and other forums throughout the week, as has she.

I'm certainly not rich but of course I want to make sure she gets the best treatment and that comes first.

I'm looking for some recommendations from people who know the system here well as to what I can do to maximize the quality of treatment and balance that with cost.

From what I understand, the best way would be to have a consultant at Bumrungrad to advise/prescribe/monitor treatment, to get the blood tests from the Red Cross Anonymous Clinic and to purchase the drugs directly from them after getting a prescription at Bumrungrad?

Does this sound like a good plan of action?

If so, does anyone have any specific recommendations for a Doctor at Bumrungrad and any idea how much each visit will cost and how often we'll likely need a visit?

Any advice on how to deal with payments, insurance or whatever other advice you may deem necessary will be gratefully received.

Thanks guys.

[tonray 7,838]

I have no experience about the system here but I do know a long time friend living with the same diagnosis. The key is to live as healthily as she possibly can. If she smokes, stop. If she drinks, stop. change the diet to as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible. Maintain a healthy weight and outlook.

The immune system is attacked by poor diet and stress and anything she can do to alleviate those 2 conditions will help her survive the disease and the effects of any drugs which are very powerful and not without side effects.

So I would also engage a nutritionist if you can, either via insurance or privately because it is that important. My friend has been healthy and has shown no signs of AIDS related illness for 4 years since diagnosis.

I pray that your wife has similar results.

[Jingthing 55,126]

Assuming you are sexually active, you should continue to get period tests yourself as it takes time to show up in tests.

If you haven't already you should learn more about risk factors, female to male.

Good for you for showing so much support for your wife. It's not the death sentence it once was, but it's not nothing either.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Jingthing

[jacky54 4,808]

Good luck mate, I always found this site about the best on the web for info

http://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/index/Johns_Hopkins_HIV_Guide/All_Topics/A

[lostinisaan 4,499]

OP, please don't overreact, even when the diagnosis might have hit you like a hammer.

First of all you'll have to wait for another- hopefully not positive- test result. These tests sometimes show the wrong results.

And even if she's got the virus, no reason to give up. All hospitals these days have the right treatment, the CD 4 count and virus load will be very important to decide if medication is needed, or not.

If she needs medicine, she can get this medication at a government hospital for almost nothing, or using her 30 baht card.

If you've got some questions you don't want to discuss here, please page me.

[Pattayacondosandhomes 12]

Wish you both luck

Edited February 13, 2016 by Pattayacondosandhomes

[lostinisaan 4,499]

Please read: http://www.thailandguru.com/hiv-aids-thailand.html

[Sheryl 18,550]

She can get the meds, tests etc for free at the hospital where she is registered under Social Security and this makes more sense IMO than paying out of pocket for it. If she is not happy with the quality of care she can change registration to another hospital. Also, can refer any complaints or problems to the Thai SS Office and they will intervene as needed. Note that as of 2014, the Thai national HIV treatment protocol is to initiate ART as soon as diagnosis is confirmed regardless of CD4 count -- so if the hospital tries to say otherwise, they are wrong.

If you want a private consultation from time to time, either because of specific questions/issues or just to get an expert second opinion on her treatment, Dr. Asda at Bumrungrad is excellent. Could use the BUPA outpatient allotment for that.

You need to use condoms with her from this point forward at least until her viral load is undetectable, which can take around 6 months of treatment to achieve. (Risk is not completely zero once VL undetectable but it is extremely small, small enough that many serodiscordant couples opt to stop condom use at that point, but it is an individual decision. Should definitely use condoms regularly until then, though.) And get retested yourself in 3-6 months. If her Hep B comes back positive then get tested for that as well.

There are several TV members in the same situation as yourself though living with it longer, hopefully some will reach out to you by private message.

[inbangkok 924]

You need to check if those insurance policies cover treatment for HIV. I can almost assure you that her BUPA plan provided by her work will not cover anything related to STD's or HIV. I am unaware of the other one you mentioned so I cannot comment.

I have the BUPA platinum policy and treatment for HIV along with all STD's is clearly outlined as being excluded from coverage.

[NickJ 3,778]

Not ever ever missing a dose of the meds is super important. My friend, who has been positive for well over ten years takes his one pill a day in the morning. He has one of those plastic pill boxes that has the day on each indivdual lid so in case he gets sidetracked he can check..........He has a viral load of zero and has for a long long time. He is married and he and his wife dont even use condoms. One thing I might add. He used to be a party animal, overweight always out. Now, ten years of eating healthy and in the gym for cardio and lifting he looks 15 years younger than most guys his age. Even his younger brother looks way older.......So just Relax.

[jimmiejackson 82]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply so far. It's always touching to see how kind strangers can be in times of need.

So far it looks like once she's gotten the blood results next week she'll try and make an appointment with her SSF hospital for meds etc. Assuming all goes well I'll make an appointment with Dr Asda at Bumrungrad just to get a second opinion and make sure she's really been set up with the best regime and go from there.

It's definitely a relief that hopefully most of this (except the odd second opinion consultation) will be for free.

The Red Cross told her last week that the SSF will only pay for medication if her CD4 was below 500 (at least that's what I remember she told me, I'm still new to this!) and that if it was above and she still wanted the drugs anyway she would need to pay. From what Sheryl says this is incorrect, which is great news, seems strange that the Red Cross wouldn't know that though.

Any further advice is definitely appreciated.

Will report back on progress so hopefully others can benefit from any info I can provide as we go through this.

[DipStick 826]

I am amazed that the usual morons have not jumped on the band wagon with the usual tripe. You are a brave guy, you opened the door for the morons, but thankfully common sense seems to have prevailed. Worrying will not help, but whatever , I wish you both the best of luck for the future. One post that stood out in response, was the one that stated HIV is not now the death sentence it was years ago. Feed positives from that . Great luck

[jimmiejackson 82]

I am amazed that the usual morons have not jumped on the band wagon with the usual tripe. You are a brave guy, you opened the door for the morons, but thankfully common sense seems to have prevailed. Worrying will not help, but whatever , I wish you both the best of luck for the future. One post that stood out in response, was the one that stated HIV is not now the death sentence it was years ago. Feed positives from that . Great luck

Me too, it's been refreshing. Really though, I couldn't care less. If I have to put up with some off color comments while getting some good advice that will help my wife, the woman I love and would do anything for, then so be it. For better or worse...

[theguyfromanotherforum 6,782]

My wife has donated blood for charity. How the heck do you contract HIV like that? If this is not the appropriate thread to discuss this you may delete this post. Now I'm really scared.

[jimmiejackson 82]

My wife has donated blood for charity. How the heck do you contract HIV like that? If this is not the appropriate thread to discuss this you may delete this post. Now I'm really scared.

She didn't contract it donating blood. When she donated blood they run a check on it to make sure it's safe to give to another person. This check came back positive for HIV.