Korean Job Discussion Forums

[0608]

I know this isn�t the most pleasant of topics, but I would like to ask for people�s opinions on something. I�m still not used to saying this, but three weeks ago, I found out that I�m HIV positive.

Yes, it sucks (it REALLY sucks), but I should be able to stay and work in Korea, and I should also be getting full medical treatment paid for by the government. I�m still coming to grips with the situation, but if I had to get this, I thank God I didn�t get it ten to fifteen years ago when effective medication wasn�t available and people were getting deported out of Korea automatically. Basically, I�m going to deal with this as best as I can and try to come out a better and stronger person as a result.

What I wanted to ask people on this board was how you would feel if you found out another teacher at your hagwon (teaching adults, if that matters) was HIV positive. Would you be okay with it? Would it really bother you? I just wanted to hear what people think. Thanks.

P.S. Condoms = Use them 100% of the time, I used them 95-99% of the time, and that wasn�t enough.

[mike in brasil]

how did you get it?

are you homosexual?

[0608]

Sex and yes.

[mike in brasil]

was it with a korean?

[0608]

Again, yes... I sense a comment on the irony of the �foreigner bring AIDS to Korea�hysteria.

[mike in brasil]

well, assuming what you're saying is true then I feel for you.

at least the medicine out there these days seems to keep it in check.

how has your family taken it?

it might be hard to keep this on the job-related thread....

[0608]

Scout�s honor (never a scout, but still). I know I got it in the last 3-4 years, and I�ve only been with Koreans in that time. Anyway, my family doesn�t know, and I don�t plan to tell them (for the simple and corny reason that it�d absolutely break my parents� hearts). And yeah, I�ve not too surprisingly been doing a whole lot of research since I got my diagnosis, and it�s pretty amazing how far the medicine�s come along. Many doctors are saying it�s comparable to diabetes. It�s just hard not having started treatment and not knowing what to expect and all the other scary thoughts that go with that. But yes, thank God (and the great doctors) that it�s no longer an automatic death sentence.

[Ruthdes]

I would be worried for you, but I wouldn't care about the fact you were HIV positive. It certainly wouldn't affect the way I interacted with you, but there may well be ignorant people who would make you regret sharing.

I presume you wouldn't want to tell your students. You'd most likely get enough bad reactions to make it a big problem for you, and put your wanjangnim in a difficult position. It sucks, and it shouldn't be a consideration, but it is.

How do the Korean authorities deal with HIV cases now? You don't get deported anymore? Does national health care even cover HIV meds?

I'm sorry for your situation. What are your initial thoughts about how to handle it?

Good luck.

[timephone]

[0608]

Thanks for your honest opinion. To clarify the issue, I�m a gyopo with an F-series visa, and according to the Korean HIV counselors I�ve contacted, I should be eligible for the full medical care (the government funds 100% of medical treatment for HIV/AIDS patients). I�ll have to register under my name at the public health office, but they have assured me that the information is completely confidential and will not be released to my workplace or the Immigration Bureau. So I should be able to keep working (I just have to be careful that the biannual health check for the National Insurance system is done at a testing center that doesn�t test for HIV--apparently, most of them don�t unless you specifically request for it), and I can just renew my visa like I did before.

As for E-series visa holders, I know the automatic deportation rule is no longer in place, but I�m not sure if it could stop your visa from being renewed, and I�m also not sure about the government paying for the treatment.

As for my immediate plans, I have told my two best friends and two ex-lovers, and that�s everyone who I plan to tell. My wonjangnim or my students, I can�t even imagine telling them, and as long as I stay healthy and remain a darn good teacher I don�t see a reason to tell them. I plan to start treatment very soon. I will be talking to the counselor at the public office, and I think he�ll be connecting me to a hospital to start the whole treatment process.

Thanks for your good wishes. I plan to stay positive... no pun intended. And I�m hoping there will be a cure down the line.

[JustinC]

Work at the school I'm at and you'd be treated as well as any other teacher, and I'd take you out for a beer when ever you want (because I haven't got any male co-teachers!). Maybe earlier - 80s/90s - we would've been apprehensive about seeing you outside of school but not now.

[northway]

That's terrible, and I wish you the best. I'm unclear on something though: would your or would you not be deported if Immigration found out?

[comm]

[luckylady]

Hey 0608

you have a tremendous amount of courage to post such an upbeat message - I do hope you are sincerely feeling this positive and not just putting on a brave face - if it was me, I'd be terrified, no matter what people say about how far medicine has come. heck - I've had 2 tiny skin cancers removed and just about had a nervous breakdown

probably you would want to keep this as much to yourself as is possible for obvious reasons but at the same time, do what's necessary to protect yourself. if being around sick children is potentially dangerous for you, then maybe you want to start looking to teach adults? that sort of thing.

best of luck and hope all goes well

[Pablo]

Keep your chin up.

Hey mike in brasil: Are you heterosexual?