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[QUOTE=MissMaryHinge;3045029]Are HIV self-test kits available over the counter or off the shelf in Thailand?[/QUOTE]I am very certain that an HIV test must be a blood test, so a clinic is required. There are many discreet and inexpensive clinics in Thailand (Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc.).
[QUOTE=BeachDrone;3045031]I am very certain that an HIV test must be a blood test, so a clinic is required. There are many discreet and inexpensive clinics in Thailand (Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc.).[/QUOTE]Self-test kits exist. Using saliva or mucus I believe, or possibly a finger pin prick blood sample . I imagine the margin of error could be higher than a clinic blood test. I had such a test included when I visited the Red X place in BKK 3 or 4 years ago. Got emailed results in an hour or so. Just thinking about saving a visit again during their limited hours opening and waiting around.
[QUOTE=MissMaryHinge;3045029]Are HIV self-test kits available over the counter or off the shelf in Thailand?[/QUOTE]Ask for OraQuick or CheckNOW oral swab tests at PULSE Clinic (multiple locations, but location nearest Sukhimvit is Soi 13 at the Trendy Building). You can also try SouthEast Pharmacy between Soi 13 and Soi 15 first if you are near. Southeast Pharmacy has PrEP OTC, so suspect they will have such tests as well. Ping them on LINE ahead of time to confirm in order to avoid wasting time. Good luck, AR.
[URL]https://www.bangkoksafeclinic.com/contacts/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20184474431&gbraid=0AAAAABqXs9icr7iNoDKTybtH4bkaPsau3&gclid=CjwKCAiA09jKBhB9EiwAgB8l-HW5zHGxHibD-GaPr7LM6o3pbEKqQK4zswMZN83v2Lqf9lvabeiWaxoC4EoQAvD_BwE[/URL]
The above is one of many places that will do a 30 minute wait HIV test in Bangkok. Home tests are widely available. : that is where you prick yourself and send in your blood sample. If I was in Bangkok and thought I had been exposed to HIV, I would book a clinic appointment immediately,. I would certainly not put my faith in a DIY job in Thailand or anywhere else not least because the gay lobby are invovled in many of those operations and they want recruits to proclaim their cause and help move the focus away from their own bunny rabbit hobbies.
[QUOTE=Jarango;3045070][URL]https://www.bangkoksafeclinic.com/contacts/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20184474431&gbraid=0AAAAABqXs9icr7iNoDKTybtH4bkaPsau3&gclid=CjwKCAiA09jKBhB9EiwAgB8l-HW5zHGxHibD-GaPr7LM6o3pbEKqQK4zswMZN83v2Lqf9lvabeiWaxoC4EoQAvD_BwE[/URL]
The above is one of many places that will do a 30 minute wait HIV test in Bangkok. Home tests are widely available. : that is where you prick yourself and send in your blood sample. If I was in Bangkok and thought I had been exposed to HIV, I would book a clinic appointment immediately,. I would certainly not put my faith in a DIY job in Thailand or anywhere else not least because the gay lobby are invovled in many of those operations and they want recruits to proclaim their cause and help move the focus away from their own bunny rabbit hobbies.[/QUOTE]Not sure how the 'gay lobby' affect such an operation but the one I saw exemplified (maybe utube or somewhere) was like a C19 test where the sample is deposited onto a plastic detection strip and one or two bars appear after a minute or so. Thanks for the link and tip on the 30 minute service, anyway.
The important this you need to do is get on PeP PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) medication is a combination of antiretroviral drugs taken by an HIV-negative person for 28 days after a potential HIV exposure (like condomless sex or needle-sharing) to stop the virus from establishing an infection, but it must be started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure for maximum effectiveness.
You actual HIV status will NOT show up of at least 10 days with the quickest test. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT / PCR): Detects viral RNA; earliest detection, 10 to 33 days after exposure. Finger stick tests take at least 18 days after the exposure to show accurate results.
4th Generation Antigen / Antibody Test (Lab Blood Draw): Detects p24 antigen and antibodies; usually 18 to 45 days after exposure.
4th Generation Rapid Antigen / Antibody Test (Fingerstick): Can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure.
3rd Generation Antibody Test (Lab or Rapid): Detects antibodies; can take 23 to 90 days after exposure.
Go see these folks of you need either PeP treatment or testing of any kind: [URL]https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDj7zJyoT8D2Y5Bz7[/URL].
[QUOTE=Jarango;3045070][URL]https://www.bangkoksafeclinic.com/contacts/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20184474431&gbraid=0AAAAABqXs9icr7iNoDKTybtH4bkaPsau3&gclid=CjwKCAiA09jKBhB9EiwAgB8l-HW5zHGxHibD-GaPr7LM6o3pbEKqQK4zswMZN83v2Lqf9lvabeiWaxoC4EoQAvD_BwE[/URL]
The above is one of many places that will do a 30 minute wait HIV test in Bangkok. Home tests are widely available. : that is where you prick yourself and send in your blood sample. If I was in Bangkok and thought I had been exposed to HIV, I would book a clinic appointment immediately,. I would certainly not put my faith in a DIY job in Thailand or anywhere else not least because the gay lobby are invovled in many of those operations and they want recruits to proclaim their cause and help move the focus away from their own bunny rabbit hobbies.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Elario;3045171]The important this you need to do is get on PeP PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) medication is a combination of antiretroviral drugs taken by an HIV-negative person for 28 days after a potential HIV exposure (like condomless sex or needle-sharing) to stop the virus from establishing an infection, but it must be started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure for maximum effectiveness.
You actual HIV status will NOT show up of at least 10 days with the quickest test. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT / PCR): Detects viral RNA; earliest detection, 10 to 33 days after exposure. Finger stick tests take at least 18 days after the exposure to show accurate results.
4th Generation Antigen / Antibody Test (Lab Blood Draw): Detects p24 antigen and antibodies; usually 18 to 45 days after exposure.
4th Generation Rapid Antigen / Antibody Test (Fingerstick): Can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure.
3rd Generation Antibody Test (Lab or Rapid): Detects antibodies; can take 23 to 90 days after exposure.
Go see these folks of you need either PeP treatment or testing of any kind: [URL]https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDj7zJyoT8D2Y5Bz7[/URL].[/QUOTE]Thanks for the inforamation. Please throw light on the test taken just after exposure and clinic claims that rapid test result will be there within half an hour. What is the significance of this test.
Is this just a waste.
To clarify what that clinic is offering you is a rush lab turnaround time in which the test will be completed and results to you in 30 min. That is what you are paying extra for. If you don't mind wait till the next day when it comes back from the lab normally then they will email you the results as usual no rush lab fee.
- This has nothing to do with when your actual exposure to HIV was. You will still need to wait between 10 and 18 days for ANY HIV test to show an accurate result of your HIV status.
E. g. Lets say you have a wild night with a lady or ladyboy and you forget to wear a condom be / see you were drunk. The next day you can't have an HIV test because it will show a false negative even if you were infected be / see the your body has not generated the antigen / antibody combinations in enough quantities to be detected by the test. You need to wait 10-18 days before being tested. Does this make sense now?
- If you were on PrEP meds Truvada or Descovy (oral HIV prevention meds) or Apretude or Yeztugo (injectable HIV prevention meds) They would stop the virus from replicating and stop you from getting infected. These meds can also be taken up tp 72 hrs after an exposure with very good results. These are avail. In Thailand and Cambodia I got them there recently.
- You should also take PeP Doxycycline 100 MG daily (avail at most any pharmacy in the world, mostly no Rx needed, Rx needed in US) which would protect you from other STD's such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
The only thing that these drugs Do NOT protect you from are genital herpes and hepatitis be, see, the.
Yes I am a doctor and also take Apretude and Doxy myself. But don't get all your medical advice from a forum talk to your doctor and the clinic doctors they are very good at what they do in Thailand. In many local county health departments in the US you can get care for free even if you can't pay.
I hope this helps keep you guys safe. Keep the questions coming.
[QUOTE=Ranvir226;3045356]Thanks for the inforamation. Please throw light on the test taken just after exposure and clinic claims that rapid test result will be there within half an hour. What is the significance of this test.
Is this just a waste.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Elario;3045381]Yes I am a doctor and also take Apretude and Doxy myself. But don't get all your medical advice from a forum talk to your doctor and the clinic doctors they are very good at what they do in Thailand. In many local county health departments in the US you can get care for free even if you can't pay.[/QUOTE]Great report, thanks for writing.
I've done exclusively BBFS for a few years and have caught nothing yet. My precautions are shower together before sex (I insist on washing her pussy), shower/urinate immediately after sex, and daily Doxy. Addition of the Apretude seems like it may be a good idea. Is this easy to get at Bangkok Red Cross or Pulse Clinic? I'm thinking one injection at the start of each trip. Or, does this need to be used for extended period of time before it becomes effective?
My other precaution is full battery of testing before trip, bacteria testing mid-trip, and full battery of testing at end of trip. Last month another punter and I went to the Bangkok Thai Red Cross for STD testing. It cost me about 1200 baht to test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The other punter had reduced testing and I believe he paid only about 400 baht. When I've gone to private clinics, the price was much higher. I intended to write a report on using that Red Cross clinic, but so far my lazy nature has taken control.
[QUOTE=HorseTrader;3045504]Great report, thanks for writing.
I've done exclusively BBFS for a few years and have caught nothing yet. My precautions are shower together before sex (I insist on washing her pussy), shower/urinate immediately after sex, and daily Doxy. Addition of the Apretude seems like it may be a good idea. Is this easy to get at Bangkok Red Cross or Pulse Clinic? I'm thinking one injection at the start of each trip. Or, does this need to be used for extended period of time before it becomes effective?
My other precaution is full battery of testing before trip, bacteria testing mid-trip, and full battery of testing at end of trip. Last month another punter and I went to the Bangkok Thai Red Cross for STD testing. It cost me about 1200 baht to test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The other punter had reduced testing and I believe he paid only about 400 baht. When I've gone to private clinics, the price was much higher. I intended to write a report on using that Red Cross clinic, but so far my lazy nature has taken control.[/QUOTE]The odds of hiv infection are so low like winning powerball lottery. One of my mongers friends told me I had been with someone whom was confirmed to be carrier. So what? Did I panick? Nope. There is too much miss information out there. Also how did he know? The girl would not know what it was? Most are stories or rumours made up by others to scare you to stay away from a certain lady or venue out of revenge by other ladies or mongers. Simply go online to hiv odds calculators then relax and make your own judgement on what to do.
[QUOTE=HorseTrader;3045504]Great report, thanks for writing.
I've done exclusively BBFS for a few years and have caught nothing yet. My precautions are shower together before sex (I insist on washing her pussy), shower/urinate immediately after sex, and daily Doxy. Addition of the Apretude seems like it may be a good idea. Is this easy to get at Bangkok Red Cross or Pulse Clinic? I'm thinking one injection at the start of each trip. Or, does this need to be used for extended period of time before it becomes effective?
My other precaution is full battery of testing before trip, bacteria testing mid-trip, and full battery of testing at end of trip. Last month another punter and I went to the Bangkok Thai Red Cross for STD testing. It cost me about 1200 baht to test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The other punter had reduced testing and I believe he paid only about 400 baht. When I've gone to private clinics, the price was much higher. I intended to write a report on using that Red Cross clinic, but so far my lazy nature has taken control.[/QUOTE]- Well the shower is a good idea for general hygiene and may help you avoid some not so great smells however it won't protect you from HIV or bacterial infections. Apreptude and Truvada or Descovy are all available at PULSE, Red Cross, and Pribta clinic ([URL]www.pribta-tangerine.com[/URL]). These drugs will protect you from HIV even if the risk is low you are still at risk when doing bareback and its higher with sex workers obviously.
In order to initiate any PrEP meds you must first test HIV negative before starting or else you can damage yourself and create a viral resistance problem which will cause you harm. All clinics will insist you have a neg. HIV test the day of start of treatment.
- PrEP any-HIV drugs Apreptude and Truvada or Descovy take approx 7 days to start working if you are male and having vaginal penetration. If you are receiving either vaginal or anal penetration then they take about 21 days to begin working.
- Apreptude is an injection that is 2 shots initially 30 days apart then a single shot once every 60 days continuously. However you are protected 7 days after the initial injection.
-Doxycycline is avail. Over the counter at most any pharmacy in the world except for in the US. Doxy will cover you for most of the rest: chlamydia, syphilis, and to a lesser extent, gonorrhea.
[QUOTE=Elario;3045381]To clarify what that clinic is offering you is a rush lab turnaround time in which the test will be completed and results to you in 30 min. That is what you are paying extra for. If you don't mind wait till the next day when it comes back from the lab normally then they will email you the results as usual no rush lab fee.
- This has nothing to do with when your actual exposure to HIV was. You will still need to wait between 10 and 18 days for ANY HIV test to show an accurate result of your HIV status.
E. g. Lets say you have a wild night with a lady or ladyboy and you forget to wear a condom be / see you were drunk. The next day you can't have an HIV test because it will show a false negative even if you were infected be / see the your body has not generated the antigen / antibody combinations in enough quantities to be detected by the test. You need to wait 10-18 days before being tested. Does this make sense now?
- If you were on PrEP meds Truvada or Descovy (oral HIV prevention meds) or Apretude or Yeztugo (injectable HIV prevention meds) They would stop the virus from replicating and stop you from getting infected. These meds can also be taken up tp 72 hrs after an exposure with very good results. These are avail. In Thailand and Cambodia I got them there recently.
- You should also take PeP Doxycycline 100 MG daily (avail at most any pharmacy in the world, mostly no Rx needed, Rx needed in US) which would protect you from other STD's such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
The only thing that these drugs Do NOT protect you from are genital herpes and hepatitis be, see, the.
Yes I am a doctor and also take Apretude and Doxy myself. But don't get all your medical advice from a forum talk to your doctor and the clinic doctors they are very good at what they do in Thailand. In many local county health departments in the US you can get care for free even if you can't pay.
I hope this helps keep you guys safe. Keep the questions coming.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the professional input on clinics, timings and the various drugs available. Do you have any input on the self-tests I mentioned earlier in the thread? Allowing for the minimum infection period, can they be a reasonable substitute for a clinic test?
[QUOTE=MissMaryHinge;3045998]Thanks for the professional input on clinics, timings and the various drugs available. Do you have any input on the self-tests I mentioned earlier in the thread? Allowing for the minimum infection period, can they be a reasonable substitute for a clinic test?[/QUOTE]The self tests are not as accurate due to the amount of viral material being sampled and if you don't get enough serum or saliva then you will get a false negative and think you are clean when you are actually infected. You want to be SURE you are good and not have any doubt. The time investment is minimal for in person test and clinic hours at Pribta-Tangerine are Mon-Sat 10 a-19:00. You can just walk in no appt. Needed get blood draw, pay and leave. They will email you results in a day or 2. Below is some info from google.
HIV self-tests are highly accurate, often matching lab accuracy when used correctly, but lab tests (especially 4th generation) can be more sensitive for early infection, while self-tests have a higher chance of user error (false negatives / positives), requiring follow-up with a healthcare provider for confirmation, especially with positive results.
They offer privacy and convenience, but laboratory blood tests (vein blood) generally detect HIV sooner than finger-prick or oral fluid self-tests, which have lower antibody concentrations.
Accuracy Comparison-.
•Lab Tests (3rd /4th Gen): Offer over 99% accuracy and detect HIV sooner (e. G. , 18-45 days after exposure for antigen / antibody tests) because they use plasma (from a vein) with higher antibody / antigen levels.
•HIV Self-Tests (Rapid Tests):
Accuracy: Highly accurate (often 99% concordance with labs) when instructions are followed perfectly, but slightly less reliable than lab tests due to potential user error.
Sensitivity: Oral fluid tests can be less sensitive and have lower positive predictive value in low-prevalence areas, increasing false positives; finger-prick tests are better but still lower than lab tests.
Window Period: Generally reliable around 3 weeks post-exposure, but up to 3 months for full accuracy, slightly longer than some lab tests.
Key Differences & Considerations.
•• User Error: The biggest factor in self-test accuracy is perfect adherence to instructions; mistakes can lead to false results.
Sample Type: Lab tests often use venous blood (plasma), while self-tests use finger-prick blood or oral fluid, which have lower HIV marker concentrations.
Detection Time: Lab tests (especially 4th gen) can often detect infection earlier than self-tests.
Follow-Up: Always confirm a positive self-test with a lab test, and even with a negative result, consider follow-up if recent exposure occurred.
One of the good experiences I had last month in Thailand was STD testing at the Red Cross in Bangkok. I was fortunate that a local punter friend went with me, so it was an easy first time experience for me. Though it isn't as easy as paying big money at a private clinic like Pulse, it is a whole lot cheaper. This is my guide to using that Red Cross.
1. Finding it. Use Google Maps and find it. It's labeled as the "Red Cross Aids Research Centre" on Ratchadamri Road.
2. Hours of Operation. They are normal weekday business hours, I don't remember details so you should look at their website to verify that you are going at a time they are open. They have some strange holidays, which may or may not be listed on the website. Our first attempt was on an unpublished holiday and we had to come again the next day. We arrived during their lunch break where only partial staff was working, still we got in and out in about an hour.
3. Getting There. I recommend taking BTS to Ratchadamri station. If you are staying in the Nana/Asok area, take BTS west to Siam station and then transfer to the southbound train (Silom Line transfer from Sukhumvit Line). Go just 1 station and get off at Ratchadamri station. Walk south on the west side of the street for about 5 minutes and the Red Cross is a large complex on the right side. Go inside the gate and you will see 3 large entrances, take the center entrance for STD testing.
4. Getting Started. Be sure you have your passport, that is checked. Everything is well labeled, including how to get started. You will go from station to station to station for registration, selection of services, blood and/or urine collection, and payment. They have plenty of English speaking help and they are clear in their directions (e.g. , go to station #X for blood collection). Very nice people, every one of them.
5. Selection of Services. If you know exactly what you want tested, you can tell them and they will make it happen. If you aren't sure, they offer consultations. Neither of us did the consultation, but in hindsight I wish I did one to learn exactly what testing and services were available.
6. Sample Collection. Depending on what tests you select, they will collect blood and/or urine. They give clear directions of where to go and what to do.
7. Payment. I paid cash, I don't know other forms of payment. I paid 1130 baht and got tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis; I don't remember the cost breakdown. My friend paid 330 baht total (he thinks 200 baht for HIV test and 130 baht for syphilis test).
8. Results. Although you can wait for some results and get a printed document, we left and our results were sent via email. The HIV and syphilis results arrived in an hour or two and my chlamydia and gonorrhea results arrived within a day or two.
9. Password. They will give you a password to open your emailed results, which should be your birthdate using the Thai calendar. In my case, they messed it up, but that was OK.
In the end, I was pleased at the whole experience. Oh, yes, we were both negative on all tests.
[QUOTE=HorseTrader;3047279]One of the good experiences I had last month in Thailand was STD testing at the Red Cross in Bangkok. I was fortunate that a local punter friend went with me, so it was an easy first time experience for me. Though it isn't as easy as paying big money at a private clinic like Pulse, it is a whole lot cheaper. This is my guide to using that Red Cross.
1. Finding it. Use Google Maps and find it. It's labeled as the "Red Cross Aids Research Centre" on Ratchadamri Road.
2. Hours of Operation. They are normal weekday business hours, I don't remember details so you should look at their website to verify that you are going at a time they are open. They have some strange holidays, which may or may not be listed on the website. Our first attempt was on an unpublished holiday and we had to come again the next day. We arrived during their lunch break where only partial staff was working, still we got in and out in about an hour.
3. Getting There. I recommend taking BTS to Ratchadamri station. If you are staying in the Nana/Asok area, take BTS west to Siam station and then transfer to the southbound train (Silom Line transfer from Sukhumvit Line). Go just 1 station and get off at Ratchadamri station. Walk south on the west side of the street for about 5 minutes and the Red Cross is a large complex on the right side. Go inside the gate and you will see 3 large entrances, take the center entrance for STD testing.
4. Getting Started. Be sure you have your passport, that is checked. Everything is well labeled, including how to get started. You will go from station to station to station for registration, selection of services, blood and/or urine collection, and payment. They have plenty of English speaking help and they are clear in their directions (e.g. , go to station #X for blood collection). Very nice people, every one of them.
5. Selection of Services. If you know exactly what you want tested, you can tell them and they will make it happen. If you aren't sure, they offer consultations. Neither of us did the consultation, but in hindsight I wish I did one to learn exactly what testing and services were available.
6. Sample Collection. Depending on what tests you select, they will collect blood and/or urine. They give clear directions of where to go and what to do.
7. Payment. I paid cash, I don't know other forms of payment. I paid 1130 baht and got tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis; I don't remember the cost breakdown. My friend paid 330 baht total (he thinks 200 baht for HIV test and 130 baht for syphilis test).
8. Results. Although you can wait for some results and get a printed document, we left and our results were sent via email. The HIV and syphilis results arrived in an hour or two and my chlamydia and gonorrhea results arrived within a day or two.
9. Password. They will give you a password to open your emailed results, which should be your birthdate using the Thai calendar. In my case, they messed it up, but that was OK.
In the end, I was pleased at the whole experience. Oh, yes, we were both negative on all tests.[/QUOTE]Similar experience here. I did anonymous testing, and got a green 'Wellness Plus Center' credit card-sized card with my initials and a bar code on it. Might use for imminent visit instead of the self-test route or private clinics.