FAQs
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How
do I tell my partner, spouse, significant other, or sexual partner that I am HIV+?
Fortunately
being HIV+ is no longer the death sentence that it used to be. Be as honest as
possible and in a caring manner, tell your partner, spouse, or significant other
that you were tested because of past indiscretions. Tell your sexual partner or
junkie companion to go get tested too. In addition, explain how you became HIV+.
Was it unsafe sex, a needle stick from an HIV+ patient, IV drug use, sharing of
rolled dollar bills used to snort cocaine, or other high risk behaviors? Suggest
that he or she be tested too. Various service
organizations such as APLA (Aids Project Los Angeles) and Shanti Foundation offer
therapeutic counseling and support for family and friends.
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What's
the HIV test like? Does it hurt? How quickly will I get my results?
An
HIV test can be obtained either through a blood sample or oral swab. A positive
test should always be followed up with a confirmation test called a Western Blot,
a blood test. Results generally take just a few days..
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How
confidential is the test result?
Confidentiality
can always be requested and obtained. If you want to get tested and remain anonymous,
Dr. Sandler puts a coded number identifier on the blood vial. The lab results
will be under that number (without any other identifier) and ONLY she knows which
person belongs to which coded number. The lab results will not be placed in a
patient's chart so that there is no record of the test. This
is important if a patient does not have health, life or disability insurance If
there was an HIV diagnosis, the person may not be able to get new insurance, or
the patient waiting for insurance to take effect may not be covered for any HIV
treatment since it would be considered a pre-existing condition.
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Is
there an incubation period? How often do you recommend testing?
The
time from exposure to testing HIV+ is approximately one month. Get tested with
the Elisa (blood) test or oral test one-month after exposure. Then if the test
is negative, get tested within three months, six months, and one year after exposure.
A much more expensive and sensitive test, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
can be done after only ten days for about $300.00.
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Can
the results become positive after the test is negative?
Yes, a small
number of people seroconvert or become HIV + which is why it's recommended that
you be tested at three, six and 12 months after exposure.
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What
insurance plans do you accept?
Our
office accepts most private insurance plans including, but not limited to, Cigna,
Aetna, United Health, Blue Cross, and more. We also accept credit cards (Visa
and Mastercard) and Medicare.
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Are
you a real doctor? What exactly is Osteopathy?
This
is not an uncommon question asked by those unfamiliar with Osteopathic Medicine.
The fact is Osteopaths are indeed "real" doctors. Not only do they have the same
academic requirements in medical education as their M.D. colleagues, but they
have furthered their studies to learn about the body's musculoskeletal
system (nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, tissues, and spinal column). Due
to this additional training (300-500 hours), Osteopaths understand the interrelationship
between body structure and organic functioning. They are convinced that each plays
a vital role in keeping your body in optimal health.
Osteopaths
are taught that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Although they use
all the tools of modern medicine (medication, surgery, radiation, etc.), their
approach to medical treatment is holistic and preventive.
As
a Doctor of Osteopathy, Dr. Sandler treats you as a whole person and not just
your disease. To do this, she uses a form of diagnosis and treatment that encompasses
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (O.M.T.) .
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What's
the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?
Simply
put, the chiropractor's care is generally limited to spinal manipulation. Chiropractors
have no license to prescribe medication or perform surgery and have only limited
diagnostic testing capabilities.
The
osteopathic physician has a full medical degree, has completed four years of osteopathic
medical school, internship and residency requirements, is licensed to practice
in hospitals and clinical settings, and has received additional training to diagnose
and treat patients by manipulating the entire body.
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How
can I participate in AIDS research?
To
participate in AIDS research you have to meet the entry criteria, which varies
from study to study. You can refer to various organizations such as the CDC (Center
for Disease Control), NIH (National Institute of Health), and AIDS Research Alliance
(ARA). Dr. Sandler frequently recommend clients to studies.
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What
are the benefits of participating in AIDS research?
There
are many benefits to participating in a research study: Patients may be looking
for treatment options not yet publicly available. Others may participate for altruistic
reasons. Some may do so for compensation. Studies often pay the participant for
time and/or drugs. Also people with no insurance can have free lab testing and
free medications.
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