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Where Can I Get A PCR Test Done?

Posted on Sat, 29 Nov 2014

Question: Hi I want to start PEP medication as now it is 48 hours since my exposure. Please recommend me places in XXXXXXX where I can go and get PEP medications. also where can i get PCR test done

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Visit nearest Government medical college hospital

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day

Dear Mr XXXXXXX

As it's Sunday PEP is usually available with the Medical officer of Accident and Emergency department of Government Medical college hospital like KC General Hospital or XXXXXXX hospital. First dose can be taken from them . On Monday you can visit ART(Anti retroviral therapy )/ VCTC (Voluntary counselling and testing centre ) of any Government medical college hospital like XXXXXXX hospital.
Do call the emergency department of hospital for confirmation before proceeding to them.

Voluntary counselling and testing centre will guide further about testing protocol. Also if you want you can get it done from SRL Ranbaxy lab

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (4 hours later)

I went to the kg hospital centre but the cmo sent me bck without the med..she asked me to go to art centre in the campus tomorrow. I m bit worried about art as i think they may give me hiv instead of curing it..please tell how to convince them for PEP medicine.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Go to ART

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX

Do not worry, doctors and professional managing ART are well qualified. They will not give you HIV, they will guide you further. If the risk are high and based on your preference PEP cannot be denied to you.

Keep me updated.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (14 hours later)

Hi Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks for the advice. I had been to the centre and got PEP (3-drug) after some convincing.

I have few questions.

1. I took the first dose after 64 hours of exposure. How effective will it be now.
2. I took precautions while doing it but think my partenr is HIV+ with high viral load thus taking the meds. I also think in the end of the course i became a bit careless and the condom became loose or slliped.
3. The counsellor said now risk is nill? Is it true.
4. How effective will HIV tests be now under medications?
5 What extra care should i take while taking the meds , diet wise?

Thanks
Sorry for asking so many questions :)

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid further exposure

Detailed Answer:
Dear Bro

Not an issue you can ask me as many questions you want to . Let me answer your query one by one

1. PEP is very effective in preventing transmission of HIV in exposed individual especially if taken within 72 hours of exposure. It almost eliminates the risk of transmission

2. Is your partner confirmed to be hiv positive or you are assuming her to be ? Kindly reply

3. The counsellor is right

4. Taking PEP will not affect the HIV testing in any way

5. Care you need to take is avoid any further sexual exposure,be safe. No diet restrictions . Ensure that you eat well regularly. Taking antacid for mild gastric upset will be helpful

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (4 hours later)

Hi

She was a prostitute so I am asuming she must be having aids. Didn think of this before the sex..what an idiot I am.

Wanted to ask..I have been given 3 drug PEP. Zidovudine + Lamivudine (twice daily) i have taken this currently, along with Efavirenz 600 mg( once daily) - should i take efavirenz before 72 hours which is now(how should i take the two)..how safe is it. I was seeing that nowadays prefrred ones are Truvada along with 400 mg raltegravir

M again wooried maybe new medicines are there but he gave me older method of medicine

Also i read efavirenz is liver damaging medicine

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow the protocol

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX

Every ART has their own protocol, so would suggest you to stick to the protocol advised by them. You can take Efavirenz before 72 hours. Lamivdine to be taken twice a day.

Some ART centres prefer Truvada and Raltegravir.

Do not be worried. Stick to their protocol. The chance of adverse affects is less so don't be worried.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (40 hours later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

Thanks. I appreciate your support.

I am taking the meds and after taking efavirenze I feel like i have taken some crazy drug making hallucinate and my head spins for atleast 2 hours.

Anyways, again I thank you for ur answer but m sure PEP wont be effective as I have taken it very late and its just for mental support everyone is saying it may work. after 48 hours if given, its not effective only stops the mental trauma and depression which a person copes after 1 month of delayed reaction.

I ask u these questions coz the guy who gave me the med didn counsel me well on this and was a bit busy.

I am taking efiverenze on empty stomach to incease effectivness around 6 PM. ami doing ti right. Could I change it to 10 Pm now?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
PEP is effective within 72 hours

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX

PEP is not to be taken lightly and is just not for mental satisfaction. As i have previously mentioned it is effective if taken within 72 hours of exposure, as you have taken within this time frame it will be helpful.
In clinical practise we do not deny PEP even if 72 hours have elapsed after high risk exposure.

I would strongly advise you not to take any of the medicine of empty stomach( all ART medicine have Gastritis as major side effects).

I would suggest you to take the medicine after dinner just before retiring to bed, this will take care of symptoms which you are experiencing.

Following will be my suggestions

1. Fix the timing of taking drug, preferably at bedtime
2. Ensure frequent intake of meals
3.Taking medicine just before bedtime will be helpful
4. Ensure intake of fresh fruits and vegetable salad: It will make you feel better

This advise is based on my experience of putting several individual on ART including myself(Occupational risk).

Rest be assured there is no cause for concern.
If you face any difficulty do write to me directly

Best Regards
Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (27 hours later)

Thanks again Dr XXXXXXX

Ur answers are very assuring. Hope I dont get HIV. Its a 50-50 chance. Will not get proper sleep for 3 months maybe 6 months. That too for 1 minute of useless fun.

I dont have ur email id so how to write to u directly in coming weeks (I wont write u daily but ya maybe once a week).
XXXXXXX vicky@gmail is my id. If I am able to come out clean I will make sure I start donating for the AIDS cause because I have understood the trauma that one has to go through.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Take care

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX

Surely will be touch.
Do not worry ,be relaxed. The risk of transmission is almost nill. It's good to know that you will contribute towards AIDS programme. Keep up the good work.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari