Just found out I am HIV +

[Sevyn09]

Just found out a couple of hours ago that I am HIV positive. I thought I was gonna roll on the floor, feel all suicidal and stuff but nothing. Sure I shedded a few tears but after that, I was determined to remain the healthy and handsome person I already am. I'm not sure if I will ever tell my family though.

See I hadn't had sex in three years and all it took was just one night and condom breakage to for this to happen.

I am not gonna sulk, what's done is done, I have been expecting it as my partner tested positive. So I got it from him. In a way I feel like it's a blessing in disguise. See I have been nothing but lazy to work hard. I have always sorry for myself. I haven't been the most healthiest of people.  This will actually teach me to appreciate life.
Next week I will be collecting cd4 results and much more.

I just need to find out a few things.
I have never had chicken pox. Does my status make me prone to shingles? If so, how can I prevent them?
Alcohol consumption - I used to drink every weekend. Probably seven full glasses of wine. How can I control that aspect of my life.
And I also smoke, how will that effect my health?
Please also give me general advice on how to live a long, healthy and happy life.

Thank you so much.

[Kiddarkness]

Fox...

Salute to you

[Poeticfox]

First I want to say that I admire you for staying positive. 24 years ago I found out my status at the age of 14. I blocked it out of my head didn't tell my family until my 10-year anniversary. While I don't regret this decision I must say that once I told them I had their support and love. No one looked at me differently they only wonder why I took so long to tell them. But that being said I'd like to answer a few of your other questions. I smoke maybe a pack a day and I'm not sure if it has anything to do with my status but my lungs, breathing is so bad. I have bronchitis and asthma. I have never had the chickenpox but just as a negative person we are all subject to shingles that doesn't discriminate because our immune system is compromised it may be easier for us to get it. Keep in mind that you must come in contact with the infection to contract it. Last but not least I'm going to tell you what Anna Puga an HIV specialist physician at children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center told me over 20 years ago. She said to me that if I was not ready to be faithful to my medication then I should not take it until I was ready. She told me this because I have been skipping medications and of course what happens is the HIV learns how to beat the medications back then there were only so many different types even still you don't want your body to reject the medication I probably started taking medicine in my 12 year. Everybody is different but I can honestly say and thank God that I have never been sick due to my HIV infection. My T-cell count and viral load has only going down in times of depression or purposely not taking my medicine. That's another story but what I want to say to you it is. Stay positive I know a lot of people who died within 3 to 7 years of becoming infected not because they have some super infection but because they mentally killed themselves if you can understand what I mean. You have those who live strong and positive and then you have those who drowned in their sorrows and let the infection take control of their minds and bodies. HIV is no longer a death sentence. I'm a witness period after 24 years of being positive I'm still happy and healthy. Good luck to you my friend. Take care of yourself and put you first, always