How do we know if we are HIV Positive? I’m really curious so I went to our Barangay Health Center to get tested. Apparently, our local government here in Dasmarinas provides free HIV Testing. Some staff from Dasmarinas Social Hygiene of City Health Office went to our barangay health center to administer the free HIV Testing last May 14, 2020.
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
How is HIV transmitted?
According to HIV.gov, HIV comes from direct contact with body fluids:
- Blood
- Semen (cum) and pre-seminal fluid
- Rectal fluids
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
On most cases, it can be transmitted by having vaginal or anal sex or by sharing injection with HIV Positive person. Other times, it can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. Another uncommon way is by receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants contaminated with HIV.
How do we get tested?
First, you need to answer the forms with all honesty.
Have you experienced any of the following:
- Sex with a female with no condom
- Sex with a male with no condom
- Paying for sex
- Regularly accepting payment for sex
- Sex with someone whom you know has HIV
- Injected drugs without doctor’s advice
- Received blood transfusion
- Occupation exposure (needlestick/sharps)
- Gotten a tattoo
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI/STD)
You also need to indicate your age at first sex, and the number of sex partners you had in your life.
Next, they’ll get a blood sample from you.
Am I HIV Positive? Watch my vlog to know the answer.
Then, they’ll tell you the results.
They do it in a discreet manner so don’t worry. In the Philippines, we value privacy especially in terms of medical records. Whether you are HIV positive or not, no one will know it unless you tell other people.
Where to avail HIV free testing in Dasmarinas City?
Dasmariñas Social Hygiene Clinic
- Address: CHU Dasmariñas Building, Gladiola Street, Mabuhay Homes 2000 Subdivision Phase 3, Brgy. Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite
- Contact Number: 09171656457
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/DasmaSocialHygieneClinic
- Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreeHIVTesting
- Google Map: City Health Unit, Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite
- Clinic Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (cut-off 4:30 pm)
How to go there from Central Mall?
Option 1: Ride a Yellow cab besides Red Ribbon then drop to Brgy. Salawag Community Center (Brgy. Hall), then ride a tricycle going to CHU Dasmariñas Building inside the Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 Subdivision or you can walk, first street after the bridge turn left, then you will see the main entrance of Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 subdivision, from there, on the 3rd street turn right, and you will parking area, besides that the CHU Dasmariñas Building.
Option 2: Ride Brown tricycles in front of TGP Pharmacy then drop to Crossing Salawag, from there ride a jeepney going to Paliparan then drop to Brgy. Salawag Community Center (Brgy. Hall), then ride a tricycle going to CHU Dasmariñas Building inside the Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 Subdivision or you can walk, first street after the bridge turn left, then you will see the main entrance of Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 subdivision, from there, on the 3rd street turn right, and you will parking area, besides that the CHU Dasmariñas Building.
How to go there from Paliparan?
Ride a jeep going to Salawag or SM Molino then drop to Brgy. Salawag Community Center (Brgy. Hall), then ride a tricycle going to CHU Dasmariñas Building inside the Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 Subdivision or you can walk, first street after the bridge turn left, then you will see the main entrance of Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 subdivision, from there, on the 3rd street turn right, and you will parking area, besides that the CHU Dasmariñas Building.
How to go there from Robinsons Dasmarinas?
Ride a Red Cab going to Paliparan, then ride a jeep going to Salawag or SM Molino then drop to Brgy. Salawag Community Center (Brgy. Hall), then ride a tricycle going to CHU Dasmariñas Building inside the Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 Subdivision or you can walk, first street after the bridge turn left, then you will see the main entrance of Mabuhay Homes 2000 Phase 5 subdivision, from there, on the 3rd street turn right, and you will parking area, besides that the CHU Dasmariñas Building.
Besides my travel experiences, I also write about personal stuff like this that might be useful for my readers. You may also want to read my other blogs:
- Am I COVID-19 positive?
- COVID-19: How to be a good citizen?
- How much does a UTI Treatment cost in the Philipines?
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I had this test nung nagpamedical ako for my visa and maganda din talagang magpatest nito para sure na safe tayo. Kasi kahit loyal ka sa partner mo tas hindi naman loyal sa iyo pwede ka ding mahawa.
Very informative, Ms Karla! That’s a good thing that your barangay conducted a free testing. This is also a good knowledge to have. Atleast, we know how to prevent it so worries will be lesser ?
Great info. Question though, when do you think a person should get checked for HIV? Like you just want to be, or you are feeling something?
I think you can have yourself checked if you had unprotected sex or blood transfusion.
This is very informative. Most people are close-minded just by hearing the HIV word. I hope our barangay also cater free testing. I might go and check too.
that’s a good program. tama nga para mawala ang stigma. at dapat huwag ng mahiya sa mga questions kasi those are professional staff naman na naghahandle ng test.
Thank you for sharing this. It will be very helpful for a lot of people. Hiv testing is very sensitive among filipinos so it’s good to have this resource for people who need it!
Very informative sis, if I would get a chance to be tested, I would. It’s mandatory din talaga. So brave of you create this unusual content. Kudos!
You can never go wrong by taking precautions and getting tested. This topic is still taboo in lots of places in the country, but I don’t think it’s something one should be ashamed of. Honestly. Of course, you shouldn’t go spreading the news to everyone, but I just think we Pinoys have to get out of our heads and look at this logically. No judgments.
This is a great initiative. Dahil dumadami na yung nagkakaron ng HIV, maganda na meron nang free testing. Now, kailangan lang mawala din yung stigma and takot ng mga tao na magpatest.
I’ve been reading lately about the role of the microbiome and virome in developing the strength of our immune system. I’m very curious how many are HIV positive but asymptomatic at the same time?
Interesting – even reading from the comments meron pala sa ibang LGU and mandatory pa for some. I’m curious if dito sa Baguio meron din testing center.
I was supposed to have myself tested a year ago kasi free yun when it was offered. Sayang! I should’ve done it. I wanted to do it din talaga kaya I will ask dito samin kung san pwede magpa test.
Super grateful for the information. Thanks for tackling this topic as I think there are many who are uneducated when it comes to HIV.
I love how you fearlessly try a lot of things like this one Ms Karla. I have friends with HIV and my heart goes to them. It is not easy but they keep on fighting. ❤
Sana mawala nanang stigma sa HIV at Aids para mas madali na makapag test mga tao, marami kasi gusto magpatest pero nahihiya baka kasi ijudge sila ng mga tao. Good job Karla for doing this
With the current society’s access to “Instant Coitus”, this testing is to be mandated to increase protection and curb spread of this life long viral affliction. Taking the courageous act to be source of info helps in the long way of breaking the taboo in the Philippines.
I am glad that they start opening our country to health care issues like this. Before HIV-AIDS was a big deal, people will treat you like a second class citizen because of having this. But because of campaigns, public awareness and education, people now are more open and broad in handling in very sensitive issue.
This is timely and relevant, everyone should really be informed. And thank you for this miss karla. #RaisingAwareness
This is such an important topic! Thank you so much for spreading information and positivity!
Such a great post and so good to raise awareness and I am sure many will appreciate you taking time to do so xx
I did mine at St. Luke’s in BGC kasi yun ang malapit sa akin. It is just a test and nothing to worry. If we talk about this often, then its become a norm, juts like having a COVID-19 test.
You are so brave Ms.Karla. thanks for sharing such a great information and to your explanation details so nice. ?❤?
Thank you for sharing this! There’s still so much stigma around HIV testing that it’s so important that people talk about it more, amazing job x
Thank you for sharing this. Nobody should be worried about getting tested for any disease especially those that can be transmitted sexually. Though the location for this is very specific I appreciate your message.
It is important to know if you have this. It’s a worrying condition as it makes you more susceptible to infection. Glad not to have it or be in the checklist you mentioned.
Wow! This is so brave of you! And thank you for writing about it. So informative!
Nung na-hospitalized si LO, may nakita ako na ganito eh, kaya lang not sure kung dito sa bayan namin meron. Ibang lugar kasi na-confine
Pag ilang years ka nang walang s*xual partner Ms Karla, and one lang naman sya, need pa kaya to get tested?
That’s a informative post. You listed all the important points about the disease. Thanks for sharing.
Dito samin Ms.Karla. Mandatory na po ang testing sa brgy.every 3rd tuesday ng buwan. Talagang need to. Kaso yung iba takot ata magpa test kasi takot malaman ang result.
Sa tingin ko, dapat di tayo matakot, lalo na pag loyal tayo sa sexual partner natin hehe.