Finding out that you have HIV can be scary and overwhelming. This can be especially true if you are a young person. If you feel overwhelmed, try to remember that you can get help and that you will not feel this way forever the scary feelings will get better with time. There are some things that you should know about HIV that may ease some of the stress or confusion you are feeling.
You are not alone.
HIV does not equal death: having HIV does not mean that you are going to die.
It does not automatically mean that you have AIDS.
The most important things you can do right now are to get health care and ask for help or support.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, and yes, left untreated, it can lead to death. This is why it is so important to get medical care if you find out you have HIV. Do not be afraid to seek a doctor or other health care provider--she or he can help you to stay well and hopefully, not get sick. Treatments for HIV are not perfect, and are not available to everyone around the world, but can be very effective for many people. A doctor or other health care provider can explain the best options for you and help you to stay well.
If you have HIV, it is important to know that you could give the virus to others by having unprotected sex or sharing needles (or, if you have a child, by breastfeeding). This is true even if you are feeling perfectly fine, and even if you are taking HIV medications or your virus is "undetectable". Using condoms and clean needles can prevent spreading HIV to other people. It can also protect you from getting infected with other strains of HIV or other diseases.
Remember: the most important things you can do right now are:
- Start seeing a doctor or other health care provider
- Ask for help or support
I just tested negative-now what?
Testing negative for HIV can be a huge relief. You have made an important choice to take care of yourself by getting tested, and you should be proud of your decision. There are several things you can do to keep protecting your health, now that you know you are negative.
Testing negative for HIV does not mean that you are immune to the virus, so it is important to keep protecting yourself. Don't get discouraged or give up if you slip (by having unsafe sex or sharing needles). There are support services that can help you stick to your decision to stay safe.
Ask for support in staying HIV negative. Remember, it can take up to 6 months to test positive for HIV after being exposed. This is called the "window period". To be completely sure that you do not have HIV, you should get tested again in 6 months, and continue to protect yourself during this time.
If you do not already see a doctor regularly, start now. It is always a good idea to have regular check-ups, and your doctor will have a medical history of your health to refer to if you get sick.
The two most important things you can do right now are:
- Keep taking care of yourself and your health.
- Ask for support in staying HIV negative.
