Living Well With HIV

Having children

“I’m on treatment and I know if I stay on treatment I will live a long and healthy life. This means I can be there for my kids and one day meet my grandchildren. I know I didn’t pass on HIV to my children in childbirth because I was on treatment and my viral load was undetectable. This means even though the HIV has not disappeared completely, the level is so low they can’t see HIV in my blood tests anymore.”

Keeping fit

“I’m a 25 year old man of dual heritage and I work in a gym. I have HIV and I’m on treatment. It took a while but now my viral load (the amount of HIV in my blood) is undetectable, so the doctors can’t see any HIV in my blood any more. This doesn’t mean I’m cured and I need to take my tablets every day, along with my protein shake!! But apart from this I live a completely normal life and I have sex with or without condoms whenever I want, knowing I can’t pass on HIV to anyone. I usually disclose my status because I’d rather be open. I hope others can do the same, as the more we talk about it the less stigma we’ll have, but I know everyone is different and it’s their choice.”

Living positively

“I’m a 38 year old, single female of colour living in Bristol. I have a great career, wonderful friends and great family. I am Living Positively, not just a person living with HIV. I am ‘undetectable’ (no more HIV can be found in my blood tests), and so I know for a fact that I can’t pass HIV on. I have a great – I mean really great sex life! I am in my prime sexually, spiritually, personally and professionally. My HIV diagnosis does not impact on my life at all. In fact for the most part I hardly think of it, until it’s my yearly checkup time and that’s only because I’m terrified of needles!”

Living and hoping

“Things have changed in the world since I was diagnosed, I’ve been living with HIV as a black man for over 20 years. I lost friends, I lost family but I never ever lost hope. We live now in a world where HIV is a manageable condition, just like taking your pill for your blood pressure. I’m healthier now in my late 40s than I have ever been and I am proud to say I am alive and living life for all of those that we lost”

Living and loving

“My father is from an area in Africa where HIV was and still is the biggest killer of young people. I live here was born here and I fell in love with a man I had no idea was living with HIV. I told my dad when I found out my diagnosis and he told me that he loves me now, as always, because I am his daughter and he is proud to be my father. That gave me all the strength I needed to become the healthy, inspirational activist I am today. I don’t shout it from the rooftops, because not everyone is as amazing as my father. But I do my bit and I know we will see greater days because I and people like me have made a difference simply by living and loving and doing both so very well”

Stigma

“I lost my friend to HIV because she was ashamed of her diagnosis, I think it was stigma that prevented her from taking her medication, she just wanted to deny it. It was so sad, so tragic and unnecessary. Later, when I was diagnosed I told everyone I knew. I take my medication every day just like my mum does for her diabetes. Talking about it so important”

Proud to be undetectable

“I’ve been living with HIV since 2007, I’ve been unashamedly undetectable since 2010. I can live and love without Fear”

Family

“U=U (undetectable = untransmissible) means I can still get married and have a normal life with a family. My treatment is working which helps my kids know I will have a long and normal life. I also know that I haven’t passed HIV on to them. This makes me feel so relaxed.”

Finding support

“I can have babies, I can make a family and I can live a life more than what I expected, I can take my medication properly, I can talk about it with someone I trust. We can meet as women who live with HIV and be happy, and give ideas to each other. I am blessed to be one of the members of a women’s group where we talk about it”