Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach shows the public how easy and hassle-free it is to take an HIV test. The beauty queen, as part of her personal advocacy on HIV/AIDs, had herself tested in public recently, in Taguig City.
According to an Inquirer report, Pia also coincided her public testing with the launch of the Love Gala, as part of her awareness-raising campaign on HIV/AIDS being the UNAIDS Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific. Taguig City mayor Lani Cayetano along with Pia also had her public HIV test.
The Love Gala culminates on December 1, World AIDS Day and is part of Pia’s bigger project, the Progressive Information Awareness (PIA) campaign.
HIV Test: Pia Shows Us How It’s Done
This is Pia’s second time to be tested for HIV, the first one was in New York City in 2016, when she was still Miss Universe. According to her, she will undergo public testing every year to show the public how easy it is to be tested.
Prior to the collection of blood samples, Pia went through a face-to-face counselling session with a qualified counselor. Information about HIV and the disease are also shared during the session. After the session, Pia also explained that a consent form has to be signed. She also noted that each test is treated with confidentiality.
The medical technologist will proceed to collect blood samples, which will then be processed. Results wi usually be given to the patient after 15 minutes.
Testing Should Be Part Of Everyone’s Regular Check-Up
As Pia waited for her test results, she also explained that HIV testing should not be a one time thing. For her, she is having herself tested every year. She also recommends that everyone should consider testing as a part of their regular medical check-ups.
When asked how frequent tests should be done, she responds by saying that it should depend on how active the person is. It can be done every 3 months, every 6 months or every year.