Getting a Bangkok HIV Test is something we have always asked ourselves time and time again. I’m going to try and answer everything I know from my own experience. You can either let it go and hope you have not contracted anything or do something if you’re so sure that your partner is infected. I do not want to give out medical advice here because I am not a doctor. However, I am going to tell you what to do if you find yourself in a predicament with a torn condom after a good romping session with a freelancer or with one of the ladies in a Bangkok Massage Parlour.

A Torn Condom Story You Can Relate To

Just like you, I wanted a happy ending and a great PSE experience. This happened to me back in 2019 when I was on my way to Snow White to meet a regular girl. We met downstairs at the counter and she just knew what I wanted. We proceeded to go up to the room and I could stare at her butt on the way up, fully knowing that I’m going to be inside her in a couple of minutes. Snow White has always been good at hygiene and I have never had the problem with the levels of services their girls offer. It’s above par.

What Happened inside this PSE Shop

As we got into the room, she gave me a wash and we got straight into business. I won’t get into the details here but It’s important to know that I was in a totally high mood and I was ramming her like a horse. With a condom on, we were going at it for 20 minutes or so. Just as I was about to cum, I stopped myself because something felt amiss. I pulled out and saw that the condom tore. The FUCKING condom TORE!!!!

Checking Twice

I was dumbstruck thinking how could I let this happen. I stood there in complete denial and I was checking to see if the condom was really torn. Did my eyes deceive me? Rightly so, it was torn and I felt a wave of pressure come upon me. To make things worse, the girl look scared too. I could see the fear in her eyes. I tried to comfort her by saying that I am clean. But later it occurred to me that she may have been more concerned about a pregnancy.

Do I Need to Go to a Doctor?

As I stepped outside the massage parlor, I felt very weak in my legs. All sorts of weird thoughts started coming into my head. I wanted to throw myself in front of a car too. It was about that time when I realized I was becoming paranoid. I was stupid. I decided to walk back to my hotel which is at Soi 7. As you know, that is a long walk and I was contemplating what a mistake I made.

What to Do Next?

The moment I reached back to the hotel, I decided to wash up thoroughly. I was stupid to think that washing up could save me from a potential HIV infection. I wasn’t worried about STDs because I’ve had those before. But HIV or AIDS scared me. If you have ever been in a situation like this, let me know and I will tell you not to worry.

Where to Go to Get a Bangkok HIV Test?

I started researching online (which is also a bad idea) about what to do next. The internet in Thailand tells you to go to the Red Cross. If you can manage your nerves, do this. Get an appointment with the Red Cross HIV Test center in Bangkok. But let me tell you that the experience there will keep you worrying a lot more. The test is done fast and you are prescribed antiretrovirals to kill off the infection. If you cannot find yourself going to Red Cross, there is another option. Remember going to Red Cross is highly recommended but you may struggle with waiting times and language barriers.

Another Alternative is Pulse Clinic

If you are a tourist, there is another option, but let me make it clear, it’s a relatively more expensive option by going to Pulse Clinic Bangkok at Silom or Nana. One of the reasons I liked Pulse is because it’s highly organized and they make you feel welcome. As you walk into the clinic, there is a form that you need to fill out and they will assign you a token number. When your number is called out, you have to walk to the doctor’s room and he will ask you basic questions. The truth is expected. Do not lie about what happened. I told the doctor the condom tore and he was very empathetic to my fear.

First Establish a Baseline with a Bangkok HIV Test

They did a routine express Bangkok HIV Test to see if I had any underlying STD or infection. This basically serves as a baseline to know if you are infected. Note that this test will not tell you the results of any infection that may have occurred during a recent session with a girl. It only establishes a baseline to know if you were ever infected in the past. The test takes a couple of minutes and I won’t lie, it feels like an hour. Once the doctor comes back with the baseline report, he will be able to tell you what needs to be done next.

When to go for a Bangkok HIV Test?

This is really important. The moment you fear that the condom broke or if you think you could have been exposed to an STD virus, you should visit a doctor within 48 hours. This is because to treat the same, you need to be put immediately on antiretrovirals. The window period to get started is the time between potential exposure to the HIV infection and the point where you can get an accurate result.

PEP vs PrEP

There are two types of meds that are taken called PEP and PrEP. Both of them have different use cases. PEP is called Post Exposure Prophylaxis and is intended to be started as soon as you fear infection has occurred. It is essential to start this course of meds within 48 hours of thinking you are infected. If you have had a high-risk incident with a girl when the condom broke and if the HIV exposure period is less than 48 hours, get started on PEP immediately. I know a lot of websites say 72 hours, but I want you to take it seriously.

PrEP in a Nutshell

PrEP on the other hand is a smaller course if you want to have unprotected sex with lower chances of risk. It is generally taken before sexual intercourse is had. It is becoming quite popular amongst the homosexual community in Bangkok, as well as the rest of the world. We are not going to talk about PrEP here but let me know if that is something you are interested in knowing.

Factors that Increase the Risk of HIV

Your partner is known to be HIV positive and is not undergoing treatment.
Anal sex penetration without using a condom.
Vaginal sex penetration without using a condom.
Condom breaking or tearing.
Presence of cuts or ulcers on the genitals during intercourse.
Bodily fluid exposure from a potential HIV positive patient.
Exposure to any of the above less than 48 hours ago.

Important Bangkok HIV Test Information

Even if you have not got tested or started PEP within 48 hours since the incident occurred, you should still go ahead and meet a doctor. There are combination drugs available to boost the anti-retroviral absorption rate in your immune system.
It takes a few days for HIV to establish itself in a host body so doing a follow-up test with the same doctor is recommended. Do not be afraid because there is a very good success rate with PEP. If you begin taking PEP in the right timeframe, you can prevent HIV (which may be already in your body) from reproducing. This means that the virus will die with the help of antiretrovirals before it can set itself in your body.

IMPORTANT

This article is not sponsored by Pulse Clinic or Red Cross. Please evaluate your own preferences when it comes to selecting an HIV or AIDS testing center.

Too Late to Start PEP?

Even if you are late to start PEP, there is a good chance that the virus can still be treated before it sets into your immune system. Get started on PEP immediately. It’s your best friend right now. Get a Bangkok HIV Test done right away. I’ve put together a few FAQs at the bottom of this article to ensure that I can cover your areas of concern.

Does PEP have Side Effects?

People have reported knowing a few side effects like nausea and headaches and a lot of uneasiness. But I did not go through any of that. I was even skeptical to think that maybe the drugs are not working. Upon reading, I found myself satisfied to know that there are a bunch of people that do not feel any side effects of PEP either. The new generation of PEP has little to no side effects. In fact, 1 in 100 people experience uneasiness.

What’s the Difference between PEP and PrEP?

Frequently Asked Questions

The condom broke, what do I do?

Firstly, calm down. Nothing is going to happen if you are able to think straight. The chances of getting infected from a broken condom are very little. You just need to make sure that you are taking all the necessary precautions now. Secondly, get yourself to Red Cross or a Pulse clinic in Bangkok.

Red Cross or Pulse Clinic Bangkok HIV Test? Which is better?

I have found that Red Cross is a very established name in health problems and they have years of experienced doctors with them. The procedures are good and you won’t be let down. It’s cheap too. The only problem is that you will have to run up and down a lot to get medication and paperwork sorted out. There are instances where they provide test results at a later date. Regardless, they will start you on PEP immediately.

Pulse Clinic on the other hand is a far newer medical center and they have young but respectable doctors. They give you all the time you need and are willing to answer all of your questions. It’s more expensive than Red Cross but it’s the price to pay for quality. I am not endorsing Pulse Clinic in any way, so please read reviews before you go.

What is PEP?

Post Exposure Prophylaxis is called PEP. It is a combination of 2 or more antiretrovirals designed to kill the HIV virus in your body before it sets into the immune system. Best results for PEP are seen if you get started on the course within 48 to 72 hours. Of course, the earlier the better.

Is PEP a cure for HIV?

No. PEP is designed as a combination of drugs to kill the HIV virus in the body before it sets into your immunity system. It does not cure AIDS or HIV.

Is PEP a guaranteed treatment?

No doctor will guarantee you that PEP will kill the virus in your body but statistically, it has proven to show great numbers in helping people kill off the virus before it sets itself into the host body. Studies show that it is currently the best treatment for HIV as long as it is started within the 48-hour window.

How long am I supposed to take PEP?

PEP comes in a combination prescription of 2 or 3 drugs. It is expected that you take one of each tablet once a day for 30 days straight. DO NOT miss out on any course as the drugs are meant to work in sync. Pick a day and time you prefer and never miss out on your dose for 30 straight day

How to take PEP?

Set a daily alarm or reminder on your phone to remind you to take your PEP drugs. Take your drugs at the same time each day (e.g., after breakfast, after dinner). Keep your PEP drugs near something you use daily, as a reminder. If you are planning a big night out, carry enough of your PEP drugs to take in case you don’t make it home. Get a friend or family member you trust to remind you to take your medications.

What are the side effects of PEP?

The new 3rd and 4th generations of PEP medication have rare to no side effects. Less than 1 in 100 people complain of uneasiness. If you are in the unlucky 1% then you may experience nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, or rash. Whatever happens, do not stop taking your meds.

Who can give me PEP?

PEP medication is prescribed by a doctor that specializes in general or infectious diseases. This is not hard to find in Bangkok. Generally, the doctor will consult with you to find out what happened.

What is the test I need to do?

There is a rapid HIV test that you need to do as soon as possible. This will help the doctor establish a baseline for you and see if you require PEP or not. The rapid or express HIV test screens for HIV, Hep B, and a few basic other STDs. These tests are 99% accurate. It doesn’t hurt to get two done from two different clinics.

What are the PEP drugs and how much do they cost?

The basic but gold standard of PEP mediation is the 3rd and 4th generation of drugs that are taken for 30 days. Tenofovir (TDF) combined with emtricitabine (FTC) is what every doctor prescribes. Many companies make these drugs but the one that your doctor prescribes will be the best. There are some people that are HIV drug-resistant so the dosage will need to the stronger. Doctors know best here. The drugs are approved by the American Centre for Disease Control so you do not need to worry about their authenticity.

What else can I do apart from the Bangkok HIV Test?

Take a break from meeting girls if you like but it should stop you from having a social life. Your doctor may advise you to get rest if you show signs of side effects. There are some other treatments that your doctor may prescribe like treatment for STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. But those are STDs that can be easily taken care of.

Do I need to take PEP?

You do not need to take PEP if you are confident that your partner is not HIV positive. But in Bangkok, the girls will never tell you the truth. You also do not need to take PEP if you already have HIV. You do not need to take PEP if your partner is already on PrEP or any other treatment. There is a concept called Undetectable Viral Load. Ask the doctor what this means. Lastly, this goes without saying but I have to mention that you do not need to take PEP if you have not had penetrative sex using a condom.

What will the doctor as me about the Bangkok HIV Test?

The doctor is there to help. So he will ask you questions that are very direct. He will ask you how long since you thought you got infected. He will ask you relatable questions to know if you should be started on PEP immediately. Whatever he asks, be brutally honest. There are not there to judge you. By being honest about your escapades, the doctor will be able to know which Bangkok HIV Test you need.

Can I carry my PEP with me if I travel?

Yes. These are approved medicines and they should be allowed to be carried for domestic and international travel. If you are still skeptical, ask your doctor to issue you a permission certificate that allows you to carry these drugs with you in your carry-on luggage.

Can I start PEP after 48 hours?

The best results for PEP have been seen by people that start the medication as soon as possible. Even if you are late, your doctor will be the best person to advise. There are cases where PEP has been taken in the 72-hour window too. So don’t worry.

What to do after my PEP course is over?

Once you have finished your entire 30 day PEP course, it’s time to do a full HIV test. Do not do an express test. Do a proper HIV test. Your results will provide the doctor with the next steps. He may put you on PrEP if you are thinking of meeting more girls in Bangkok.