In January I got a pre-health in America while applying for my Z-visa. Everything turned out fine. I arrived in China two weeks ago, and got my mandatory health check like every expat has to. It was reported to me that I tested positive for HIV. There was a second test, and it turned positive too. This came as quite a shock to me. The virus must have still been in the incubation stage when I got tested in January
I was told by my employers and immigration that I'm welcome to stay in China, but the doctor that reported the results to me said that it would be in my best interests to go back to America to get treatment. The reasons the doctor gave were that the hospitals and treatment in America would be much better than China's. She also said there is only one hospital in China that is equipped to deal with HIV patients, and they only have local patients. She said it is very unlikely that any of the doctors or staff there would be able to speak English.
While I am concerned about my health, I have invested too much time and money to make the career move to China. I don't just want to turn around and go home just after I arrived. The work experience I will gain here will be very valuable to me. I find it hard to believe that there would only be one hospital in Guangzhou that can treat people with HIV or that there are no staff that can speak English. If anyone has any information they can share about hospitals in Guangzhou, foreign or local, that can treat HIV patients, it would be much appreciated.
The only other problem I see staying in China is cost of going on a program and taking the pills. I'm insured under Ping An which seems to cover nothing, but it can't be much worse or expensive than America where I have no health insurance at all.