I Got Tested for HIV

Because of Prince Harry.

I can never wrap my mind around the fact that I have never done it yet. It took seeing a famous person do it before it dawned on me that I had been at risk for a long time already and I should get myself tested.

I turned to Google to search for available options in Metro Manila.  One of the results is LoveYourself. As of this writing, they have two clinics in Metro Manila – one in Mandaluyong City and one in Pasay City.

I took the HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis-B testing in their Pasay clinic. They offer these tests for free. The tests were done on blood extracted from me on the day of my visit. They provide pre-test and post-test HIV counseling which are required by law (RA 8504 – Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998).

Thankfully, I got negative results on all three tests. The time I spent waiting in the lounge for the results was one of the scariest time I’ve ever had in my life. Not even my phone nor any social media were enough to distract my thoughts. I’m glad I got tested and now have the peace of mind.

If you think you’ve been at risk and should take the tests, you can drop by a LoveYourself clinic and get your own peace of mind. The people there are friendly. You can also go ahead and check out their website if you want to start by reading a little about them and their services. Note that if you are sexually active, it is advised that the HIV test be done every six months.

I’d also like to share the ABCDE of HIV which I learned during the one-on-one counseling.

At this point, maybe we can start channeling that Justin Bieber song line – “you should go and love yourself”.

At the end of this post are some details of LoveYourself, which were taken from their website. I highly suggest a visit to their website to know more and ensure that you get up to date information, plus they have FAQs provided in there.

If you believe you’ve been at risk and you prefer to go to a different clinic, that’s okay. The important thing is you arrive at the decision to have the test done, or at least consult with someone to guide you on what to do.

LoveYourself

Website: http://www.loveyourself.ph

Locations:

LoveYourself Welcome (Espana / Blumentritt St., Manila, near Welcome Rotonda)

858 Blumentritt Road corner Remedios Street, Sampaloc, Manila

Tue to Sat: 2 pm – 11 pm / Sun and Mon: CLOSED

LoveYourself Anglo (Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City)

Unit 5, 3/F, Anglo Building, #715-A Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City

Wed to Sat: 12 nn – 7 pm / Sun: 9 am – 2 pm / Mon and Tue: CLOSED

Love Yourself Uni (Taft Ave., Pasay City)

Unit B, 2/F, LM Building, 2028 Taft Avenue Extension, Pasay City

Wed to Sat: 12 nn – 7 pm / Sun: 9 am – 2 pm / Mon and Tue: CLOSED

Victoria by LoveYourself (Park Avenue, Manila)

2/F Torres Bldg., 2442 Park Avenue, Pasay City

Sat to Wed: 12 nn – 7 pm / Thur and Fri: CLOSED

Lily by LoveYourself (San Martin de Porres, Paranaque)

5/F, Pineda Building, #98 Manalac Ave., Sitio De Asis, San Martin de Porres, Paranaque City

Tue to Sun: 12 nn – 9 pm / Mon: CLOSED