Home Testing

Picked up this leaflet last week at the sexual health clinic.

Leaflet _ Home testing trial

They are now recruiting study participants to trial HIV testing at home. There's even a website, so if you are interested in knowing more you can have a look there.

The test that's used in this study is the Oraquick test. It involves taking swabs from your mouth (not your saliva but tissue/lining inside your mouth. And it is an antibody-only test, unlike Alere Determine (involves pricking your finger for a few drops of blood) that tests for both antigen and antibody and it's also a rapid test. Having said that, it's still better than nothing right?

The nurse told me that they are having difficulty getting people to sign up for this study. I would like to sign up because I think there's no harm in doing so and I know it's only a procedural thing for them to have this study to get it approved here in Australia as Oraquick has been approved by FDA in the US.

I am feeling happy for Australia because things like this are happening. The existence of sexual health clinics, health professionals who are non-judgemental, availability of PEP and HIV medication and state-of-the-art testing technologies are all very important to keep HIV under control.

What's happening back in Malaysia? Nothing. They are trying to hide everything under the carpet. One day when there's an outbreak, it will be a huge one and everyone will be shocked but helpless. Even in Thailand, the government acknowledged the problem and I know there are professionals from Australia who have been sent to Thailand to help set up the infrastructure and educate people about HIV.

When was the last time you saw something in Malaysia that had the word HIV printed on it? Primary school drawing competition posters?

Yes, I know about PT Foundation, but sadly its resources are very limited because of our judgemental and corrupt government. Hence, why not think about donating some of your money to PT Foundation? Donate!

I think it's really important that we, as part of the community, help support our own community, especially those who are less able in our community. It only takes you one unlucky time to get infected with HIV. HIV doesn't discriminate.

HIV is still here today, around us, so don't be oblivious to its very existence please. And don't see it as a taboo. The next time you meet your gangs, talk about it, talk about safe sex, help each other out. And it's also the reason why I blog about it, I am not obsessed with it, but I really hope that through my paltry readership, it gets the conversations going.

Indulged in a Magnum after dinner tonight. Miss those days when the ice cream uncle circled the neighbourhood on a motorbike. It's $3.60 here by the way. Do you guys like eating ice cream too? LOL

How much is a Magnum now in Malaysia?