Did You Just Test Positive for HIV?

Getting an HIV diagnosis can feel like the worst news in the world. It is common to feel anger, fear, confusion, shock, grief, depression or other painful emotions. Even after you have known for some time and think you are coming to terms with the news, it may suddenly hit you all over again.

The first step in getting through this difficult period is to understand that these feelings are normal responses to your diagnosis. Ignoring them will not make them go away. Allow yourself to feel what is inside you. It is OK to cry if you feel like it.

Anger, fear and sadness are emotions that most people with serious illnesses experience. You are facing the possibility of getting sick or dying. You may be scared that you will not see the children in your life grow up. Or maybe you are afraid that you will not achieve your life goals. In the beginning, it may seem that testing positive is a death sentence, but this is not true. There is life after you test positive for HIV. In fact, many people living with HIV lead full and healthy lives.

You may also feel that you are now damaged in some way and that no one will want to love you because you are HIV-positive. Or you may blame yourself for getting HIV and ask yourself, “How could I have let this happen to me?” Try to be gentle with yourself. Guilt and shame can be destructive. If possible, try to have some compassion for yourself. You have just gotten bad news and must face changes and challenges ahead. If forgiving yourself or being compassionate with yourself seem difficult, try to imagine how you would respond to a loved one whom you just learned was HIV-positive. Think on the love and comfort you might give that person and share some with yourself. You are just as deserving and just as capable of giving and receiving love as ever.

Being diagnosed with HIV presents many challenges. Building a support network can help you learn to cope. Take your time and do not feel that you have to tell everyone right away. It is important not to let fear of being judged cause you to isolate yourself and not talk to anyone. If it is hard to tell family and friends at first, you may want to turn to HIV organizations. 

Many newly diagnosed people want to speak with others in the same situation. This can decrease isolation and help overcome stigma. There are many AIDS service organizations that offer support and information to HIV-positive people. ASOs are great places to find helpful, non-judgmental people to talk with, and many offer support groups. Joining a support group and talking about your feelings in a safe space may reduce fears and concerns. There are support groups offered by ASOs in many parts of the US. 

Finding networks or others who are in similar situations might also help you not feel so alone. Be sure to check out The Well Project’s blog, “A Girl Like Me” for first-hand accounts of HIV-positive women from different parts of the world and how they each have dealt with their HIV diagnosis.

As upsetting as testing positive can be, you are better off knowing. Once you know you are HIV-positive, you can take charge of your health and have the best chance to slow or prevent disease progression. Getting informed about HIV and its treatment will help you make the best of your situation.

An important factor in getting good care and treatment is to find the right health-care provider. Look for a health-care provider who specializes in treating HIV. Studies have shown that an HIV-positive person whose health care provider treats many HIV-positive people lives longer than a person whose health-care provider treats a few HIV-positive people.

Even though there is no cure for HIV disease, there are many treatments that help keep HIV under control. There are now over 30 HIV drugs available. Much has been learned about how to use these drugs more easily and effectively, and with fewer side effects. The use of HIV drugs is allowing many HIV-positive people to live long and healthy lives.

You will need to get information and work with your health care provider to decide what treatments are best for you. There are many good places to get information including ASOs, hotlines, and websites. But be careful about the information you are getting. Check it out with your health care provider or other reliable sources to make sure it is accurate. Remember, there are no “miracle” cures. If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true.

Learning that you are HIV-positive may make you feel you have lost control over your life. Try not to let this rush you into making decisions when you are still coming to terms with your diagnosis. Remember, you are in charge of your own health care. You can decide which treatments you use and when to use them. Take your time and learn about your options. Unless you are very ill and need to make treatment decisions quickly, you have time to think things through. 

You are not alone. In the US, about one million people are HIV-positive, and approximately one in four people newly diagnosed with HIV are women. Globally, women make up half of all people living with HIV. There are many HIV-positive women who can provide information, support, and advice.

Keeping to yourself can make the process of moving forward after the diagnosis more difficult. It is a good idea to reach out to people, but if anyone threatens you with violence or is abusive, it is time to step away from them. Take yourself and any children you have to a safe place and talk with someone you trust. You need a positive environment and supportive people in your life. 

Also be careful not to put your family’s welfare ahead of your own. When you take care of yourself, you are doing something good for yourself and your family. You owe it to them to make sure you are as healthy as you can be. 

Being diagnosed with HIV is life changing. Once you know you are HIV-POSITIVE, you can never unknow it. However, HIV is a virus; it does not change the essence of who you are. Learn to see yourself as a person living with HIV, not a victim. You can do this by getting informed, taking charge of your health care, and learning how to manage HIV. 

You may find that some of the priorities in your life now change. This can be a good thing. Facing a serious illness can prompt people to make their lives better. Many HIV-POSITIVE people make favorable changes such as breaking bad habits like drinking too much or smoking. As serious as the diagnosis is, there is good reason to have hope that your life will be full and healthy. Do not give up on yourself or your dreams.

Reprinted with permission from The Well Project