Aids/HIV/STD test

HPV Vaccine said:
Boys and men: One available vaccine (Gardasil) protects males against most genital warts. This vaccine is available for boys and men, 9 through 26 years of age.
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hmmm. I thought its only available for women. Awesomeness. Anybody know the +- cost?
 
HavocXphere said:
Vaccine *is* prevention. :p
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I might be wrong, but vaccines aren't infallible :)

Inspections...ya I always bring my 20 point checklist along. Got it from the AA.
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Indeed, always make sure the seat's adjusted and if the alarm triggers when you open the door, it's probably best to get it checked before driving off with it :D
 
krycor said:
• Hpv(uncurable.. lurkes like herpes after infection?),
• genital warts(hpv sub type, uncurable and nasty.. manage outbreaks) ,
• Hepatitus b(after infection disease dna lurks and remission possible, unclearable/uncurable)
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I might be wrong...but I read that sometimes if a person has a strong and well functioning immune system then the virus of HPV aswell as Hepatitus C...and I think B can be cleared from your system. This is not always the case though and therefore it is said to be incurable. When for example the system does not clear Hep C...it becomes known as Chronic Hep C and then it is something you have to manage for the remainder of your natural life.

It is sad though that with all the advances there are still STD's like this that we can not cure with meds. Kind of makes you wonder if there is even a hope in hell that we will win the fight against HIV.
 
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Where is the easiest place to go to for a STD test (I think I really need one) in the northern suburbs of Cape Town I prefer a private doctor I hate those clinics, and how much would it cost roughly?

Please help?
 
Hansolo said:
Where is the easiest place to go to for a STD test (I think I really need one) in the northern suburbs of Cape Town I prefer a private doctor I hate those clinics, and how much would it cost roughly?

Please help?
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You should be able to get free testing done at a local clinic.

However, I'd suggest speaking to your doctor. He'll draw some blood and send it off to the labs and call you with the verdict within 24-48 hours, depending on the lab.

While the clinics will also offer counselling, I think it would be best if you have a doctor who you trust give you the run-down if you are found to have anything, as well as what your options are.

It's always best to know your status and that of your partner so... Kudos to you :)

Oh, and regarding costs... Urgh, I don't remember what it cost me. I know that the doctor consultation was R250-odd. I'm guessing bloodwork was about R100? I <3 my doctor :D
 
Lycanthrope said:
Oh, and regarding costs... Urgh, I don't remember what it cost me. I know that the doctor consultation was R250-odd. I'm guessing bloodwork was about R100? I <3 my doctor :D
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Bwahahaha! Man, I wish! Testing ranges from R1000 to about R3000, depending on what you decide to test for. The general screen is about R1500 if I remember correctly.
 
Not as far as I'm aware, no. I know under certain circumstances they'll cover some of the tests (hep B/C, etc.) but that's generally if you're having liver issues. I suppose it also depends on what your medical aid allows. As far as I know, they all pay for HIV testing though.
 
Nocturnity said:
Not as far as I'm aware, no. I know under certain circumstances they'll cover some of the tests (hep B/C, etc.) but that's generally if you're having liver issues. I suppose it also depends on what your medical aid allows. As far as I know, they all pay for HIV testing though.
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I see.

I've only ever had HIV testing done :D
 
Lycanthrope said:
Yeah, I realised medical scheme would play a part in hindsight :o
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When a dude was on medical aid labs tend to screw the medical aids. I saw once or twice what we were chargin the medical aids and it was hectic :p

Some tests though were like R3000 a test. Viral load testing on HIV+ people for example is a pretty expensive test and it takes hours and hours to do under completely sterile conditions (everything washed down with ethanol, UV light and laminar air flows). While some of the cheaper tests we used to just do and check for medical aid afterwards the more expensive Molecular Biology tests never got done unless we were sure someone was prepared to pay for it.
 
porchrat said:
When a dude was on medical aid labs tend to screw the medical aids. I saw once or twice what we were chargin the medical aids and it was hectic :p

Some tests though were like R3000 a test. Viral load testing on HIV+ people for example is a pretty expensive test and it takes hours and hours to do under completely sterile conditions (everything washed down with ethanol, UV light and laminar air flows). While some of the cheaper tests we used to just do and check for medical aid afterwards the more expensive Molecular Biology tests never got done unless we were sure someone was prepared to pay for it.
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That's understandable. Although I sort of assumed that it would be the doctors' responsibility to pay for tests and then to recoup that from patients?

*SHRUG* :D
 
Lycanthrope said:
That's understandable. Although I sort of assumed that it would be the doctors' responsibility to pay for tests and then to recoup that from patients?

*SHRUG* :D
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If we couldn't get responses from medical aids fast enough (48 hour turnaround time guaranteed :D) then we would get the doc or patient to sign a guarantee of payment and then do the test. If they wouldn't sign then too bad no test. The bloods just used to sit there.

Considering the reagents for a run of 48 tests costs in the region of R20 000 (sometimes more :eek:) you can understand why they won't throw resources into a test without knowing they're getting their money.
 
porchrat said:
If we couldn't get responses from medical aids fast enough (48 hour turnaround time guaranteed :D) then we would get the doc or patient to sign a guarantee of payment and then do the test. If they wouldn't sign then too bad no test. The bloods just used to sit there.

Considering the reagents for a run of 48 tests costs in the region of R20 000 (sometimes more :eek:) you can understand why they won't throw resources into a test without knowing they're getting their money.
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Also understandable :D

Have to say, it all sounds pretty fun though :p
 
ocleroux said:
I might be wrong...but I read that sometimes if a person has a strong and well functioning immune system then the virus of HPV aswell as Hepatitus C.
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Sounds about right. I think the same thing applies to HIV...if the viral load is very very small then the immune system can fight it. Its used where one of the parent is HIV+. They first push down the viral load with ARVs. Can't remember what the aim of the game was though...I think keeping the baby HIV-...could also have been baby+one partner.

Just in case an idiot reads this: Do NOT rely on this. We don't need more HIV+ idiots with HIV+ babies.

Lycanthrope said:
I might be wrong, but vaccines aren't infallible :)
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Infallibility isn't a requirement of a prevention mechanism. I don't intend to rely on it. Its more of a case of one less STD to worry about and being a vaccine it should be lifelong so might as well. That just leaves another 50 or so STDs....

On a side note, I see the blood work form I've got here has 3 HIV tests list: R120, R200 and R900. No idea what the diff is though. I'm guessing they've got another form for STDs because I don't see any others on it. (DIscovery form)
 
Lycanthrope said:
Also understandable :D

Have to say, it all sounds pretty fun though :p
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It certainly had it's moments. I used to like the allergy testing the most.

It gets repetitive though unless you can score a seat in a research position somewhere.

It is tightly regulated as well so you can't just change the program and do something different for a day. Everyone gets given a job description and unlike in IT (where job descriptions are just broad labels and people's responsibilities vary) in labs you get a strict label like "medical scientist" or "laboratory technician" and you cannot step beyond that level of responsibility.
 
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